Water sport lovers a worried lot

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

The water sport lovers in the city are a worried lot as the UT Administration is planning to convert Sukhna Lake into a wetland. 

At present, Sukhna Lake is the most sought after place for organising water sport events in the region. Rowers also frequently visit the water body for practice. If the administration converts the lake into a wetland, things will get difficult for the region’s athletes who are engaged in disciplines like rowing, canoeing and kayaking. 

“We are already facing problems because of low rainfall. If the administration turns the lake into a wetland, things will get more difficult for us. The water level will be decreased or maintained, which in turn will affect our sport,” a coach said on condition of anonymity. 

A constructed wetland must be able to maintain the pool level and should also have either low or high marsh zones, the coach pointed. 

Low water level 

“For a proper wetland, the administration needs to build water control reservoirs or small dams, which again will be a hurdle in our practice. Also, in a wetland, weeds may not be removed to encourage the influx of migratory birds. Plants are important part of a wetland as they absorb water in heavy quantity. All this is going to affect our practice,” the coach added.

The coach further said: “If they turn it into a low marsh zone, then water level will remain somewhere between six and 18 inches — it’s preferred for growth of several wetland plant species. And if they decide to turn it into a high zone, which again has maximum depth of six inches, there will be no chance for us to carry the sporting activities. We need at least 42 inches (3.50 foot) depth to push our boats.”   

No threat

Recently, the administration initiated the process of declaring Sukhna Lake a wetland under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, however, the Chief Conservator of Forest Santosh Kumar said the move would not affect the water sport. 

“There is no such proposal to stop water sport activities at the lake. We have just formed a committee, which will take time to work on the project. After their findings, we have to take the final approval from the experts. I assure you that no ban will be imposed on water sport at Sukhna Lake. Before finalising anything, the committee will take care of every aspect,” said Santosh Kumar. 

Technical committee 

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Wetland Authority formed a technical committee on Monday to make recommendations before declaring the lake as the wetland. 

In the meeting, it was decided that a technical committee would be headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests Santosh Kumar. 

A source said the committee would recommend what activities should be prohibited within the wetland. 

“The lake is facing existential threat due to encroachment in its catchment area and the discharge of sewerage from the nearby localities. This step is being taken to preserve the lake from further degradation,” said the source.

“The committee has been given a month’s time to submit its report, which will be placed in the next meeting for a final decision,” the source added.