11 April,2011 06:50 AM IST | | Rinkita Gurav
Environmentalists claim beautification work at Powai Lake has resulted in a shrinking habitat for the reptiles in the lake
The beautification of the Powai Lake was good news for citizens as it meant one more improved green space.
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However, in an attempt to boost tourism in the area, BMC officials did not realise that the work would affect the ecology of the lake and encroach on the habitat ofu00a0crocodiles in the lake.
Environmentalists claim acts such as placing nets and building of the wall for beautification purposes has resulted in the dwindling numbers
In January, BMC officials inaugurated the beautified Powai Lake which included a 2-km-long waterfront along the 120-year-old lake, which has a Ganesh Ghat at the west end and the Powai Garden on the east. The 2-km stretch also has several viewing decks for visitors to relax and watch the lake.
However, according to environmentalists, the upgradation has affected the ecology of the lake and has deprived crocodiles of the land where they would bask and the place to lay their eggs.
"The main concern is that the ecology is getting disturbed there. The place where the reptiles used to absorb heat and lay eggs has been affected owing to the construction of the walls built for the beautification.
Also, there was an area at the end of the garden where they used to come out, but it doesn't exist anymore, as the BMC has built a wall," said Sunish Subramaniam, secretary, Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS).
Subramaniam further elaborated that increased human activity around the lake has disturbed the habitat of the crocodiles, which has resulted in a decline in the number of crocodiles.
Numbers matter
Dr Pramod Salaskar, BMC's environment consultant for the lake, said, "Twenty years back, there were approximately 35 crocodiles in the Powai Lake. However, today, there are not more than 15 crocodiles.
The constant pollution and urbanisation has affected the numbers of the already endangered species."
The consultant also said that if the government did not look into the matter, residents would have to bid adieu to the reptiles owing to the lack of breeding grounds.
Some environmentalists claimed that if the beatification of the lake had been taken up more responsibly, the situation would have never arisen.
Gordon Rodricks, vice president, Maharashtra State Angling Associationu00a0 said, "We have been studying the lake for a long time and we found out that the recent beautification has disturbed the habitat of the crocodiles.
They should have taken precautions before carrying out desilting."
Aggressive nature
Eco-activists also believe that the loss of their habitat has also affected the nature of crocodiles, making them retaliate against human beings.
Explaining the case, Subramaniam said, "Crocodiles are slow and lazy but if they are disturbed in their nests, they are bound to attack. They will also retaliate if they are harassed."
Echoing the same sentiments, Rodricks said, "The crocodiles have become aggressive and in the recent past but that can be attributed to the increase in human activity around their homes.
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Earlier, children used to swim in the lake and no case of crocodile attack was ever reported. However, after the beautification work began, several cases have been noted which explains the situation."
15
Number of crocodiles observed at the Powai Lake, which has fallen from 35 crocodiles, 20 years back.
Crocs Attack
June 2010: A fisherman sailing on a makeshift tyre in the lake was attacked but managed to wrench his left leg free and paddled to safety.
March 2009: A vendor fishing at Powai Lake was bitten on the arm. He escaped.
October 2004: A crocodile wandered into the IIT campus and killed a duck. It was captured three days later.
The Indian Marsh Crocodile is a highly endangered species. It was once nearly hunted to extinction for its hide.
