Pune, 4th December 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has drained the iconic Nana Saheb Peshwa Lake (Katraj Lake) within the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park to commence desilting and restoration work.

The initiative aims to enhance the lake's water storage capacity under the Urban Lake Management System. The desilting project is being undertaken with assistance from the Irrigation Department, according to PMC’s Environment Department Head, Mangesh Dighe.

The water drained from the lake is being diverted to the Mutha River through the Ambil Odha stream. The move follows a similar instance in 2019 when a large volume of water released from the lake led to flooding in the Ambil Odha area.

Efforts to Address Pollution and Biodiversity Loss

Over the years, untreated sewage from nearby areas has polluted the lake, promoting rampant growth of water hyacinth and impacting local biodiversity.

To mitigate this, PMC is setting up a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 2 million liters per day to stop sewage inflow into the lake.

The desilting process is expected to enhance the lake’s monsoon water retention capacity and improve its ecological health. Officials believe these measures will help restore the lake's former glory and protect the surrounding environment.