Project initiated in 2006
The Thane Municipal Corporation has identified several lakes to be undertaken for bioremediation and beautification. Under this project an extensive study on the environment focusing on the lakes of the Thane region in the state of Maharashtra, India was undertaken during the year 2005-2006. As per the study Khidkali lake is one of the lakes where haphazard development and the depletion of the natural resources of the area can be avoided today by immediately undertaking the implementation of the recommendations for the lake on a priority basis.
OBJECTIVE OF PROJECT:
Khidkali Lake is situated on the eastern side of the Thane creek. There is an old Shiva Temple along its banks; which attracts thousands of devotees during festivals. Large agricultural fields stretching right up to the foothills of Parsik range surround the lake and clusters of huge Banyan trees have lent a unique character to this place, aesthetically as well as environmentally.
The Shiva Temple is the only major activity generator of this area, with over one lakh devotees visiting during festival times. As a result the tank has to bear the brunt of all the religious ritual offerings, making it necessary for the tank to be cleaned and desilted regularly. The temple also has large number of informal food stalls and religious offering shops catering to tourists and worshipers. This generates huge amount of garbage in the temple vicinity. During festivals large numbers of vehicles are parked in the vicinity of the lake.
The prime objective of the project is the preparation of a feasible
landscape design and action plan for the sustainability and
conservation of the Khidkali lake; which would include:
• Design of the lake surrounds to accommodate all the
religious activities.
• Landscaping for the ecological sustainability of the
water body.
• Environment management provisions
• Provision of basic amenities for the large gatherings
during religious
festival
