The Dahegaon Lake is nestled amidst the rapidly changing urban landscape of Nagpur. This lake, which is one of the largest lakes south of Nagpur, has gone through a tremendous transformation to become what it is today.

The Dahegaon Lake is located in the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) zone in the village of Dahegaon. Renowned for its rich biodiversity and lush vegetation including Vetiver and banyan trees, the lake had long served as a vital habitat for numerous avian species. However, due to Nagpur’s rapid urban expansion, the lake began to lose its habitat characteristics. The lake had lost its capacity to retain water and had become shallow. It was infested with invasive weed species, which posed a threat to the ecological balance of the water body.

Environmentalist Foundation of India (E.F.I) in collaboration with HDBFS and MADC was able to bring life back to the lake.

The following restoration activities were carried out by E.F.I to revive the Dahegaon Lake:

Deweeding:
The first step in the restoration process involved the removal of invasive vegetation that had overrun the lake. Clearing out invasive weed species and other thorny shrubs encourages native plant species to grow. This step was crucial to aid the growth of thick native vegetation such as Vetiver and banyan trees.

Desilting:
Desilting is the process by which accumulated silt is removed from the surface of a water body. Desilting is carried out to enhance the water storage capacity of the lake and to make sure that the lake can maintain healthy water levels, especially during dry periods. By excavating 1 meter of soil, the lake surface was deepened across the contour.

Strengthening of Bunds:
Embankments are crucial to define the lake’s boundary and enhance water storage. In the Dahegaon Lake, efforts were made to strengthen the offshore bunds and establish foreshore bunds with properly cut canals. This would help provide structural integrity to the lake and prevent soil erosion.

Inlet Clearance:
The inlet of the lake should be well-maintained to ensure smooth inflow of water without any obstruction. Since the inlet of Dahegaon Lake was clogged with garbage, efforts were made to clear them completely.

Construction of Cornered Islands:
A key factor of E.F.I’s restoration efforts in Dahegaon Lake was the introduction of cornered islands. This is a new concept implemented by E.F.I which is aimed at providing a safe haven to diverse forms of life while harmonizing with urban development. These islands feature a unique design comprising perpendicular, diagonal, and pedestal runways leading to circular concentric islands. They were strategically placed within the foreshore corners of the lake to prevent the hindrance of water inflow. This innovative design creates nesting habitats with unique vegetation which supports both territorial and aviary species.

Native Tree Plantation:
Native trees were planted along the bunds of the lake as well as on the nesting islands. The trees would enhance the biodiversity of the region by attracting local fauna. They would also help prevent soil erosion along the bunds.

With all its new features such as strengthened offshore bunds, well-established foreshore bund, cornered islands and native trees, the Dahegaon Lake has been made into a biodiversity hotspot. Today, the lake has a thriving aquatic ecosystem that is home to all lifeforms.

The restoration of Dahegaon lake is not just about reclaiming a natural habitat; it is also an attempt to encourage sustainable development in urban landscapes such as Nagpur. By demonstrating that urban expansion and ecological preservation can coexist harmoniously, the Dahegaon Lake is truly a water wonder that sets an example for restoring lakes in cities grappling with similar challenges.

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