JOIN USInternet to the rescue of lakes
In a bid to save the lakes and ponds of Delhi, the environment department has linked over 1,000 water bodies of the city to Google Earth.
This will help the department officials for a real-time monitoring of water bodies.
The GeoSpatial Delhi Ltd (GSDL) is providing this facility to the environment department. A password has been provided to the officials concerned for a daily real-time monitoring of water bodies. So far, some 1,012 water bodies have been identified and connected to Google Earth.
“Through satellite imaging, we have conducted a mapping of water bodies in all the 10 districts of Delhi and it has been connected to Google Earth. Now, whenever any officer needs to check any encroachment, dumping of debris or any illegal activity that can harm the area, the satellites will provide a real-time image of the area,” said S D Singh, CEO of Delhi Park and Garden Society, who has been appointed as the nodal officer for revival of water bodies in Delhi.
The environment department has called a meeting on June 17 of all the departments concerned with a four-point action plan. After a complete satellite assessment of the water bodies, the different departments will be tasked to clean them, undertake desilting, ensure plantation around the water bodies and prepare a plan for their maintenance.
Many water bodies in Delhi have been eloped due to illegal construction and unauthorised colonies. Through satellite monitoring, officials will now compare the earlier maps of Delhi to get data about eloped water bodies.
The revenue department will be informed about any construction on the banks of water bodies.
The department also plans to give a unique number to every water body and register it with land owning agencies to prevent illegal construction and its usage as garbage disposal site.
More than 300 ponds and lakes in the city have been dried up and some 165 are endangered due to severe encroachment and garbage disposal.