The process of demarcating large water bodies in Udaipur, including Fateh Sagar, Pichola, Jaisamand Lake, and Bada Madar Talab, has officially begun.  Currently, Jaisamand and Bada Madar have few hotels or resorts along their shores. However, with their proximity to the city, land around these lakes has been bought by people.

Previous Meeting Discussions

Last Friday, the District Lake Conservation Committee met to discuss proposals for land records and maps related to these reservoirs. These proposals will be prepared in 15 days and sent to the Lake (Conservation & Development) Authority in Jaipur. Once approved, five lakes and dams in Udaipur will be declared protected areas. This means construction will be banned in their catchment areas and designated distances. At present, only Gaib Sagar in Dungarpur, Pichola, and Fatehsagar Lakes are protected.

Jaisamand Lake Part of Jaisamand Sanctuary

Managed by the Forest and Water Resources Department, Jaisamand’s water monitoring is handled by irrigation channels. The lake, part of the Jaisamand Sanctuary, has an entry fee for the dam. Boating is managed by village committees. The lake, with a capacity of 14,650 MCF, serves 122 villages and irrigates around 37,000 hectares of farmland. Villages are scattered around the lake and on its islands.

Badi Lake's Mahseer Fish Conservation

This lake was declared a reserve for Mahseer fish conservation last October. Managed by the Forest Department since then, the department proposed installing fish barriers and requested a budget for this. Plans include breeding Mahseer fish in the Ecotone Park by the lake. The Forest Department has imposed an entry fee, and since 2012, the Badi village panchayat has managed the canal gates. Currently, 500 hectares in three surrounding villages are irrigated with this water.

Conservation Rules

Retired CCF Rahul Bhatnagar notes that wildlife protection laws apply to Jaisamand and Badi Lakes, ensuring no harm to wildlife. The Rajasthan Lake (Conservation and Development) Authority's rules prevent filling the lakes and protect natural rivers and streams. Bada Madar needs close monitoring to prevent the construction of hotels. If regulations are timely established, the lake will remain protected.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar