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World Water Day: Delhi’s ignored water bodies

A child jumps in to the Shahdara lake, which has been turned into a garbage dump over the years, in East Delhi. Data available with the Delhi government says there are over 1,000 water bodies in the capital but due to encroachment and urbanisation, nearly 80% just exist on paper, say activists. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on: Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM IST

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A child jumps in to the Shahdara lake, which has been turned into a garbage dump over the years, in East Delhi. Data available with the Delhi government says there are over 1,000 water bodies in the capital but due to encroachment and urbanisation, nearly 80% just exist on paper, say activists. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

A child jumps in to the Shahdara lake, which has been turned into a garbage dump over the years, in East Delhi. Data available with the Delhi government says there are over 1,000 water bodies in the capital but due to encroachment and urbanisation, nearly 80% just exist on paper, say activists. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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Bhalswa Horseshoe Lake, or Bhalswa Jheel, is a Lake in northwest Delhi. It was originally shaped like a horseshoe. However, over the years half of it was used as a landfill area now a low income housing colony, an extension of the nearby town of Bhalswa Jahangir puri. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Bhalswa Horseshoe Lake, or Bhalswa Jheel, is a Lake in northwest Delhi. It was originally shaped like a horseshoe. However, over the years half of it was used as a landfill area now a low income housing colony, an extension of the nearby town of Bhalswa Jahangir puri. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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An area around the Shahdara lake, which has been turned into a garbage dump over the years, in East Delhi. Although some water bodies have dried up, in many places, parks have come up. Others have been converted into dumping sites. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

An area around the Shahdara lake, which has been turned into a garbage dump over the years, in East Delhi. Although some water bodies have dried up, in many places, parks have come up. Others have been converted into dumping sites. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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Mayapuri Lake, below the Naraina-Mayapuri flyover used to be full during the rainy season. In rural areas, these work as sewage dumps. However, government efforts remain mere on-paper exercises. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Mayapuri Lake, below the Naraina-Mayapuri flyover used to be full during the rainy season. In rural areas, these work as sewage dumps. However, government efforts remain mere on-paper exercises. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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A young boy pictured at Gandhak Baoli, in Mehraulli. According to the DJB official, the water utility has been focusing on water bodies which have sewage inflow from nearby villages. (Vageesh Lall/HT photo)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

A young boy pictured at Gandhak Baoli, in Mehraulli. According to the DJB official, the water utility has been focusing on water bodies which have sewage inflow from nearby villages. (Vageesh Lall/HT photo)

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The well at Rajon ki Baoli which has now turned into a trash can. In March 2003, concerned over the depleting groundwater level in the Capital, the high court had directed the Centre, the Delhi government, the MCD and the DDA to remove all encroachments in and around the lakes, ponds and reservoirs here and maintain them as water bodies. (Vageesh Lall/HT photo)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

The well at Rajon ki Baoli which has now turned into a trash can. In March 2003, concerned over the depleting groundwater level in the Capital, the high court had directed the Centre, the Delhi government, the MCD and the DDA to remove all encroachments in and around the lakes, ponds and reservoirs here and maintain them as water bodies. (Vageesh Lall/HT photo)

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Rajon ki Baoli. With heavy pollution, construction in catchment areas and encroachment, most of the water bodies that were part of Delhiites’ lives till the 1990s are now history. (Vageesh Lall/HT photo)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Rajon ki Baoli. With heavy pollution, construction in catchment areas and encroachment, most of the water bodies that were part of Delhiites’ lives till the 1990s are now history. (Vageesh Lall/HT photo)

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Under the orders of the Delhi High Court, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is in the process of restoring Neela Hauz, a large pond in south Delhi. By March 2013, it is scheduled to complete the work that involves removing weed and hyacinth infestation, dredging, planting local trees and shrubs and constructing walking tracks. The pond will be merged with the neighbouring Sanjay Van, a protected forest under DDA in the Southern Ridge. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Under the orders of the Delhi High Court, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is in the process of restoring Neela Hauz, a large pond in south Delhi. By March 2013, it is scheduled to complete the work that involves removing weed and hyacinth infestation, dredging, planting local trees and shrubs and constructing walking tracks. The pond will be merged with the neighbouring Sanjay Van, a protected forest under DDA in the Southern Ridge. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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Sewer carrying chemical waste from Tughlaqabad Village Lake in New Delhi. In June 2016, the National Green Tribunal also directed the Delhi government to clean and restore all the natural water bodies. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Sewer carrying chemical waste from Tughlaqabad Village Lake in New Delhi. In June 2016, the National Green Tribunal also directed the Delhi government to clean and restore all the natural water bodies. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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Shamshi lake facing residential buildings in Mehraulli. (Vageesh Lall/HT Photo)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Shamshi lake facing residential buildings in Mehraulli. (Vageesh Lall/HT Photo)

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Sanjay Lake is an artificial lake developed by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at Trilokpuri in East Delhi, adjoining Mayur Vihar II residential area. These water bodies, if reclaimed, could have helped against declining groundwater reserves and recharge aquifer and sustain tube wells operation in nearby areas. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Sanjay Lake is an artificial lake developed by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at Trilokpuri in East Delhi, adjoining Mayur Vihar II residential area. These water bodies, if reclaimed, could have helped against declining groundwater reserves and recharge aquifer and sustain tube wells operation in nearby areas. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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Prasad Nagar Lake Park also known as Jheel Park is located in Patel Nagar of West Delhi. In July, the Delhi Jal Board had announced reclamation of around 100 such water bodies. Nothing substantial, however, has happened ever since. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

Prasad Nagar Lake Park also known as Jheel Park is located in Patel Nagar of West Delhi. In July, the Delhi Jal Board had announced reclamation of around 100 such water bodies. Nothing substantial, however, has happened ever since. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

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A duck flutters inside the Lodhi Garden lake. Despite judicial orders, we see no progress,” activist Diwan Singh, who is part of the Dwarka Water Bodies Committee, said. (Vageesh Lall/HT Photo)

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 5:17 PM

A duck flutters inside the Lodhi Garden lake. Despite judicial orders, we see no progress,” activist Diwan Singh, who is part of the Dwarka Water Bodies Committee, said. (Vageesh Lall/HT Photo)

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