Haryana to flow water into Surajkund lake before Commonwealth Games

Will the dried-up Surajkund Lake see water again? Even as Haryana Tourism seems to have drawn up an ambitious plan to revive the water body before the Commonwealth Games, experts are questioning its sustainability given the fact that mining has caused the water retention capacities of lake's bed to be affected.According to S N Rai, managing director, Haryana Tourism, 12 natural water bodies some of them lakes in the Aravali range have been identified to draw water for the kund. "We will pump out water from these and install pipes to carry water to Surajkund Lake. These have sufficient water, specially during the rain season, and we hope to cash in on the natural resources,'' said Rai during his visit to Surajkund. He asserted that the work would be completed before the Commonwealth Games.

The Times of India had highlighted how rampant mining in the Aravali has caused the three Faridabad lakes Surajkund, Badkhal and Damdama which till very recently had healthy water levels to dry up completely. The reports had caused consternation among environmental activists and even prompted some to plan a cricket match on the dried up Badkhal bed which was scuttled after authorities swiftly moved in to put an end to the "tournament''. The Supreme Court some time back put a ban on mining in Faridabad, Gurgaon and Mewat till the Haryana government comes out with a comprehensive environmental rehabilitation plan.

Meanwhile, environmentalists as well as civil engineers from Faridabad who will be executing the project, are questioning the idea of recharging Surajkund by piped water. "Most of the water bodies that have been identified dry up during summer. Maintaining such a huge network of pipelines in the Aravalis will not be an easy task,'' said S Pillai, a conservationist. According to Pillai, it would be difficult to stop water from evaporating during summers even if the lake flooring is relaid. "This seems a stop-gap method to showcase the area to foreign tourists. The Haryana government may have announced to revive the Badkhal and Surajkund lakes in time for the 2010 Games, but the fact remains that it neglected the two crucial water bodies for well over two decades,'' he said.

The apex court while hearing the matter of mining had said: "Mining alters the natural land profile of the area. Mine pits and unattended dumps are irreversible consequences of mining operations. Rock blasting, movement of heavy vehicles and operation of mining equipment cause considerable pollution in the form of noise and vibration.''

SC had earlier directed the government to develop a 200m wide green belt along Surajkund and Badkhal. But only shrubs and wild growth were found, with no real evidence of good afforestation.