The City’s rapid growth has come at a heavy price – in the form of the loss of its lakes and ponds, according to a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report.

“These water bodies are now either repositories for sewage or have been turned into prime real estate,” a study conducted by the CSE revealed. “As a result, even with huge investments and projects for bringing water to the City – including the much debated Greater Bangalore Water and Sanitation Project (GBWASP) – the water crisis has become real and regular,” the report said.

A new survey of water bodies in just one district of the Capital has thrown up alarming results -- encroachment, neglect and even disappearance. This, when the Delhi High Court has instructed the Government to step up efforts for water body preservation and restoration. Also, government agencies that are mandated to preserve these water bodies are actually responsible for encroachment in several areas.

The study that was conducted by Diwan Singh of the non-government organisation Natural Heritage First in South West Delhi between December 2011 and May 2012 assessed the present condition of water bodies in the city.

Scientists at the city-based National Geophysical Research Laboratory (NGRI) are optimistic that if water conserving measures such as rainwater harvesting are put in place in a joint venture of citizens and civic bodies, the monsoon will be enough to ensure the city does not experience another parched summer.

Dr Shakeel Ahmed of the Indo French Centre for Groundwater Research said, “Even though it is too early to predict the impact of the monsoon on groundwater levels, if it continues on the same scale, we are sure we won’t have to suffer next summer.”

Representatives of various political parties submit petition to Collector

Demanding action against a private milk supplier’s processing unit for allegedly letting highly toxic and foul-smelling effluents into Nishabanadhi at Karivalamvanthanallur, representatives of various political parties jointly submitted a petition to District Collector R. Selvaraj on Monday during the weekly grievance day meeting.

Absence of a sewerage treatment plant in Bhubaneswar has led to release of urban and industrial effluents into the rivers untreated, in turn polluting the rivers from which Capital sources its drin

Villagers Say 200-Year-Old Water Body Gradually Dried Up As Apartments Sprang Up In The Vicinity

Dhaka Wasa is considering a plan to recharge the underground aquifers with rain water in eight areas across the capital this year to top up the rapidly depleting groundwater table.