India has a wealthy water-based heritage, with historic communities and forts counting on constructed water techniques like tanks and wells. In Gujarat, conventional practices such because the “taankaa” and “jal mandir or vav” techniques have been used to preserve water. These conventional practices not solely supported day by day life but additionally helped enhance the groundwater desk throughout dry durations.
Nevertheless, the rise in water consumption, coupled with a rising inhabitants, has led to a major surge within the demand for water.
Immediately, the state of Gujarat has been dealing with water scarcity as potable water is in poor provide. As of March 10, 2024, the water stage of 36 reservoirs within the state was less than 10% .
Revival of Makarba Tank
Recognizing the significance of Gujarat’s conventional water techniques, E.F.I has restored the Makarba Tank. A big water physique positioned within the southern neighborhoods of Ahmedabad that feeds the historic Sarkhej Roza.
The Sarkhej Roza is a mosque, tomb and palace complicated with Indo-Saracenic structure. The title Sarkhej comes from the Urdu phrase “Zarkhez” that means “fertile”. Within the Sarkhej village, indigo dyers and weavers dwelling subsequent to the Makarba Tank had been closely depending on its water for indigo dyeing.
Over time because the area noticed an increase in inhabitants, a number of native residents started to dump their strong waste immediately into the tank. Because of an absence of upkeep and sheer negligence, invasive weed species started to take over the lake, choking away its life.
Restoration Efforts by E.F.I.
In an effort to revive and preserve this water physique, E.F.I in affiliation with the Ahmedabad Municipal Company, and the IndusInd Financial institution, a part of the Hinduja Basis underneath the Jal Jeevan initiative have taken on the duty of restoring the historic Makarba Tank. Check out all that occurred throughout this restoration!
The next measures had been taken to boost the waterbody throughout its restoration from March 2020 to March 2021.
– Elimination of strong waste and invasive weeds.
– Peripheral desilting
-Lake Mattress Stabilization
– Building of Twin embankments
– Creation of Neem Pocket Islands
-Inlet Regulation & Trenches
-Fencing and Plantation of native species
Elimination of Strong Waste and Invasive Weeds
42 tonnes of invasive weeds and non-biodegradable waste had been faraway from the lake.
Peripheral Desilting
Extra siltation within the periphery of the lake was eliminated and was used to assemble bunds. A median of 3-4 toes of silt has been faraway from the lake.
Lake Mattress Stabilization
The Makarba Tank is deeper than the downstream Sarkhej Roza. Therefore, water doesn’t attain the Roza from Makarba and creates backward flooding.
Lake mattress stabilization was completed to make sure optimum depth upkeep for seamless hydro movement.
Building of Twin Embankments
Twin embankment constructions had been created to control the influx of water to the historic Sarkhej Roza. Twin embankments of 18-22 ft had been established which additionally improve flood resilience.
The twin embankments at its steepest level is a whopping 38 toes. 1.5km of the bund was constructed alongside the boundary of the lake.
Pocket Neem Islands
36 nesting islands had been created to boost the lake’s biodiversity restoration. These islands are the genesis of the lake’s new life.
Inlet regulation & Trenches
The inlet of the lake has been regulated to make sure correct influx. Trenches had been dug within the south-west area of the lake to enhance percolation of water. Regulation of inlet was crucial to make sure correct influx to the historic Sarkhej Roza.
Fencing and Plantation of native species
The lake was fenced to forestall future abuse of the water physique. Native plantation was carried out to enhance the inexperienced cowl of the lake.
After Restoration
With new bunds and island pockets, the water physique is able to remodel all the neighbourhood and regulate native temperature. The Makarba lake now has a singular water story to inform. A historic and pure one.
Group Engagement
A clean-up was carried out with volunteers to have interaction with the neighborhood and sensitize them in regards to the position of the lake of their native ecosystem,
The exercise noticed round 85 volunteers who collected near 1.5 tonnes of waste in simply 2 hours!
ForesTree, a voluntary plantation drive was carried out with 40 staff from IndusInd Financial institution, Ahmedabad on the newly constructed bund of the Makarba Tank.
50 native tree saplings such because the Neem, Gulmohar, Gooseberry had been planted in an effort to extend the inexperienced cowl of the Tank.
Volunteer for India and her Atmosphere with E.F.I
