La_19 Birds Oasis

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unes Model Colony lake, also

known as Lakaki lake, is a six acre

abandoned quarry site nearly a

century old. Besides accumulation of

annual rain water, the depression has

natural fresh water springs. Residentsrecall that the stones from this quarry

were used to build the Fergusson Col-

lege situated in the same area.

The lake derives its name from the resi-

dence of famous industrialist Kirloskars

in the vicinity named Lakaki. For years

the lake has been a tranquil retreat of

migratory birds, buffalos, fishermen and

nature lovers.

In 1985, Pune Municipal Committee pro-posed to convert the lake into an educa-

tion complex after filling the area. This

enraged the local residents so much that

they waged a systematic battle against

the move and demanded that the lake

should not be altered in any manner.

Dr. Meera Bondre of Botany Depart-

ment of Poona University, under the guid-

ance of Prof. S. B. David, had under-

taken detailed study of the lake ecosys-

tem. Based on the scientific observations

and field tests, they had come to the con-clusion that the lake supports a very well

balanced eco-system and abounds in di-

verse life forms which co-exist there and

make life support systems of the lake

sustainable. The lake supports the fish

(Garubusia Affinis) which is known as a

mosquito larvae eater. Therefore, the

lake area is free of mosquitoes and the

water does not smell. It has withstood

the pollution so far and has helped to

keep the atmosphere clean.

Based on the scientific observations they

came to conclusion that the lake has

immense potential of being converted

into a Natural Science Garden for the

future and should be left undisturbed.

World renowned ornithologist Late Dr.

Salim Ali had visited this lake and was

impressed to see a great numbers of birds

frequenting this lake which is in the midst

of a residential colony. The residents

under the dynamic leadership of Dr.

Zainah Poonawala of Model Colony

Parisar Sudhar Samiti (MCPSS) andmany likeminded individuals and vari-

ous organizations including WWF -

World Wildlife Fund and Prof. Narendra

Dengle of INTACH - Indian National In-

stitute for Arts and Cultural Heritage, lo-

cal publications put up a fierce battle to

save this important and unique lake from

extinction. Pleading the cause of eco-

logical balance and right to live in a

healthy environment, the MCPSS filed a

suite in the court against the Pune Mu-

nicipal Committee.

The long drawn legal battle took years to

settle. The development work on the lake

was started in the year 1993, but was

later stopped due to legal reasons for

number of years. Finally the project work

was completed in the year 2001.

Ravindra Bhan


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Interventions

Minimum development strategy was the

essence of the project which was totally

based on ecological considerations.

There was already enough data avail-

able to plan the various development in-

terventions without altering the very com-

plex and highly sustainable eco-system

which nature had developed over a long period of time. Help from local bird

watchers like Prakash Gole and Ramesh

Badwe and others helped in finalizing

the appropriate list of plant species for

the project.

It was observed that about fifty two bird

species visit the lake throughout the year

and some of them stay in the lake area.

Knowing the bird species it was easy

from existing literature to find out the

habitat, nesting habit and food prefer-ences of the birds.

The lake had a high level of eutrophica-

tion because of accumulation of domes-

tic wastes that was diverted in the lake.

The lake bottom was cleaned by intro-

duction of specific fish species and wa-

ter plants. Any manual intervention

would have drastically altered the deli-

cate balance of the lake eco-system.

As the lake was surrounded by high

structures, a narrow peripheral walkwaywas introduced around the lake for

watching the birds from the distance

without disturbing the existing vegeta-

tion and large trees on the site.

To support the walkway, the lake periph-

ery was filled gradually with boulders.

Once the boulders were set, the top was

covered with concrete to form the walk-

way. The sloping edge of the pathway

carries a built-in concrete trough for

planting water plants and tall reed grassto screen the people from birds in the

lake area. There are no artificial lights

on the walkway so that the birds are not

distracted. Visiting hours are regulated

and the lake area is only open during

morning and evening hours.

FACING PAGE [TOP TO BOTTOM]

Sectional Elevation through the middle of the lake.

Sectional Elevation of the lake facing the entrance.

Section near the entrance level.

THIS PAGE [ABOVE]

The sloping edge of the pathway carries a built-in

concrete trough for planting water plants and tall

reed grass to screen the people from birds in the

lake area.

BELOW

A Barbet-Coppersmith or Katphora.

Originalimagesource:http://www.d

kimages.com


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Birds frequenting Model Colony Lake, PuneJune 1999


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Project Landscape Architect: Ravindra Bhan & Associates

Photo credits: Prof. Narendra Dengle

Drawings courtesy Ravindra Bhan

Landscape architect Ravindra Bhancan be contacted on

[email protected]

Documents

La_19 Birds Oasis