PUNE: Almost three-fourth of the Lakaki Lake in Model Colony is covered with hyacinth and grass for the past two months.
Residents of the area fear a dengue outbreak as the waterweed has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Due to this, ducks are unable to swim and are forced to stay on the bank away from their natural habitat.
However, environmentalists are divided on the issue of removal of hyacinth.
Dr Praful Wani, a resident of Model Colony, said, “The grass has been there since May, while hyacinth grew in the past two months and has covered almost three-fourth of the lake.”
“The hyacinth has become the breeding point for mosquitoes which can cause diseases such as dengue and the residents can get affected. Due to hyacinth and grass, the ducks are unable to go in the lake, which is their natural habitat and are forced to stay on the land,” added Wani.
“We have complained to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) about it but no action has been taken so far. Even the lawns surrounding the lake are not maintained. However, Rs 5 is charged for entry to this garden,” Wani further informed.
Chief Superintendent of PMC’s Garden Department Ashok Ghorpade said, “The boat used to clean hyacinth was at the Pujari Garden as the cleaning work was underway there. It has finally been brought to the Lakaki Garden. I will check the status to ensure that the work is done.”
HYACINTH HARMS BIODIVERSITY
“Hyacinth has a fibrous root system which impacts ecosystem of the lake and can create obnoxious conditions in the water. Due to its root, sunlight does not penetrate in the water body which does not allow phytoplankton, an algae, to grow on which fish feed,” said Dr Ankur Patwardhan, Head of Department of Bio-Diversity at Garware College and Member of Maharashtra State Bio-diversity Board.
“It also impacts the flow of water which reduces natural oxygenation of water affecting the biodiversity of the water body,” he added.
LAKAKI LAKE SHOULD NOT BE DISTURBED
“Lakaki Lake is a boon to the city and has unique bio-diversity and is known to be a microbiological reserve. It consists of rare microscopic algae and should remain untouched. There are fish that feed on mosquito larvae hence mosquito breeding should not be a concern. Hyacinth in moving water like rivers can be a hazard but in stagnant water, it is not. Birds also lay eggs on this grass so it is important to not disturb it and wait and watch,” said Dr Meera Bondre, a Hydrologist and Ecologist.
“If it is important to clear hyacinth, it should be done with minimum disturbance to the lake and a small area can be cleared carefully and students taught the use of hyacinth,” she added.
