Fishermen who rely on Naik Lake for their livelihood may soon be formally engaged in restoring it. During his inspection of Naik and Lendi Lakes on Friday, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Commissioner Dr. Abhijeet Chaudhari assured fishermen that their proposal to clear water hyacinth would be considered, with wages to be paid under a structured plan expected to reach his table on Monday.
Fishermen explained that untreated sewage entering the lake has fueled the explosive growth of hyacinth, choking fish populations and cutting into their income. They offered to remove the weeds themselves, noting their daily familiarity with the water. Dr. Chaudhari welcomed the idea, saying it would form part of a larger ecological revival strategy.
A key concern flagged during the inspection was the small-capacity storm water and sewer line feeding into Naik Lake. Each monsoon, the line bursts, pushing sewage into the lake and raising nitrogen levels – conditions that allow hyacinth to thrive. Dr. Chaudhari directed engineers to prepare a time-bound plan to restore and expand the line to prevent future contamination.
The Commissioner, accompanied by senior officials including Chief Engineer Manoj Talewar and VNIT expert Dr. Avinash Vasudevan, also inspected Bajrang Ghat, encroachments on approach roads, and the nallah linked to Lendi Lake. Orders were issued for desilting and clearance before the next monsoon.
Part of the AMRUT Phase II rejuvenation works, the visit underscored that beautification will only succeed if water quality is secured. By involving fishermen and local youth, officials hope to make Naik Lake a model for community-driven conservation.
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