EPCO :: Autonomous Body of Government of M.P.

The quality of water in the Upper lakes has deteriorated over the years due to inflow of waste and sewage from human settlements and inflow of silt from the catchment. The capacity of the lake is also being continually reduced due to siltation.(aboout 1 - 2.58 cm per annually on the average). The major part of the catchment area of the Upper Lake is under agricultural use and as such the black cotton soil area is subject to sever erosion. Besides this the agricultural residues from the village areas and solid wastes drain into the lake through the drains and streams particularly during the rainy season. Exposure of catchment, devoid of any vegetation due to housing and excessive construction activities on the higher slopes, particularly in the urban areas such as Koh-e-fiza and Khanoogaon areas on the northern bank, has advanced the rate of soil erosion in these areas. As a result the shoreline is shrunk and large land masses of silt deposits are formed with in the lake thus reducing the storage capacity and water spread area of the lake. Although Septic tanks and sewerage facilities are available in some parts of the urban area, yet, untreated human waste finds way into the lake directly or as overflow from drains. It is estimated that 9.82 MGD of sewage enters the Upper Lake daily. These enrich the Lake with nutrient which promotes eutrophication. About large number of people indilge in the cultivation of Singhara, an edible Trapa variety, in the lake. Insecticides used for this activity and the dead plant left after harvesting fruits add to the nutrient load in the lake. The gradual increase in pollution of the lake had become noticeable not only from the visible changes but also from the water quality tests. While natural phenomena such as soil erosion and siltation change the lake environment, man made activities such as Immersion of Idols and Tazias during festivals and inflow of untreated sewage and waste water from the human settlements etc. have led to the deterioration of the lake. This has posed a serious threat to the quality of water from the lake.

The quality of water in the Lower Lake is far more deteriorated than in the Upper Lake. Surrounded by congested city on all sides, the Lower Lake receives its water mainly from eight nallas (drains) which carry untreated waste water and sullage from the human settlements in various parts of the city. It has been observed that about 7.30 MGD of untreated wastewater enters the Lower Lake.

Dhobi Ghats or laundry houses exist along the periphery of the lake in large numbers. As a result, besides the domestic and human wastes coming from these dwellings, soap, caustic soda and detergents etc. used for washing of clothes adds to the pollution problem. A significant part of the lake near Banganga inlet, Kamla Park and Jehangirabad is heavily silted and covered with weeds. Pollution of the Lower Lake has now reached an alarming level due to inflow of large volumes of sewage, sullage, and other solid wastes from the neighboring habitations, human activities such as bathing and washing of clothes and vehicles etc.