Deteriorating Scenario of Lakes A Case Study of Ramgarh Lake, India

Abstract

Lakes are an important part of our ecosystem that provide not only direct benefits like, drinking
water, irrigation, fishes, aquatic crop production, recreation etc. but also indirect benefits like, regulation of hydrological cycle, local climate control, maintenance of ecological biodiversity etc. But now,
lakes are being contaminated through various pollutants as a result of urbanization in recent decades.
The deterioration problem of lakes is seen from global to national and regional level. This study focuses
on the severe depleting factors, impact of depletion and controlling practices. A case study of Ramgarh
lake which is an ox-bow lake situated in the eastern part of Gorakhpur city, Uttar Pradesh is carried out
to study the status of the lake at present. Water quality and quantity of Ramgarh Lake are changing with
passing time dramatically like other water bodies. The changing pattern of utilization of the lake resulted
degradation of water quality and hampered the livelihood. The quality of Ramgarh lake was good, as per
local people, up to 1980s, but thereafter, within 38 years, human impact has pushed the lake at the edge
of depletion. During 1922 to 2018 about 234.94 hectare area was encroached by people. This drastic
alteration was happened due to rapid unplanned urbanization and dumping of solid as well as liquid
wastes in to the lake. This action initiated uncontrolled growth of hyacinth, eutrophication and sedimentation, which have changed lake's morphology, depth, volume and quality of water. Some measures are
being taken towards the stewardships of this lake in recent decade but more conservational steps on
ground are essential to be taken to ensure the better future of this lake