Nestled amidst Dumad, a town in the northern neighborhood of Vadodara city in eastern Gujarat, is the Virod Lake. Spanning 14 acres, the lake is surrounded by farm fields on three sides and residential area on one side. As a crucial water source, the lake supports the local ecosystem and benefits the community.
However, due to the overgrowth of invasive weed species like water hyacinth and Prosopis juliflora, the Virod lake faced severe ecological imbalance. Excessive accumulation of silt had reduced the lake’s water holding capacity, improper structure and excess growth of water hyacinth an invasive weeds took over the entire surface of the waterbody forming a thick layer reducing oxygen flow into the water which negatively impacted the water quality.
દુમાડમાં વિરોદ તળાવ એ પાણીનો નિર્ણાયક સ્ત્રોત છે જે સ્થાનિક ઇકોસિસ્ટમને ટેકો આપે છે અને સમુદાયને લાભ આપે છે. E.F.I એ આ તળાવ પુનઃસંગ્રહ માટે લીધું હતું. અમે આ તળાવને જૈવવિવિધતાના હોટસ્પોટમાં કેવી રીતે પરિવર્તિત કર્યું તે તપાસો.
To restore the water body to its original state, E.F.I has carried out a series of restoration activities.
- Deweeding- Invasive weed species such as water hyacinth and Prosopis juliflora had choked the water surface and prevented the growth of native species. 3 tonnes of Prosopis juliflora was cleared from the lake’s periphery to foster a more balanced ecosystem. 350 kgs of water hyacinth were removed to improve the water quality and support aquatic life.
- Desilting- Desilting refers to the process of removing silt or sediments from a water body. Desilting across an area of 5 acres was carried out to excavate silt deposits from the lake surface. This would ensure that the lake’s water retention capacity stays intact.
- Construction and Strengthening of Embankments- Embankments are necessary to improve structural integrity and enhance the water holding capacity of a water body. In the Virod Lake, dual embankments with primary and secondary embankments were constructed. The primary embankment was established for a length of 250 meters, while the secondary embankment was of 450 meters. The primary embankment was also strengthened for a total length of 750 meters to help mitigate erosion.
- Trench Canals- Water logging was a major problem in the Virod Lake as the surrounding area often becomes flooded during periods of heavy rainfall. To combat this problem, four trench canals were constructed on the eastern and southern parts of the lake. These canals aim to collect surface runoff and eventually improve groundwater percolation.
- Nesting Island- Nesting islands offer a vital habitat for wildlife to prosper and are great breeding grounds for birds. Two nesting islands were established in the Virod Lake to provide a safe haven to all life forms.
- Fencing- Fencing around the lake’s periphery was erected for a length of 810 meters to prevent illegal encroachments. The fencing would also prevent littering and garbage accumulation in the lake’s periphery.
After E.F.I’s restoration efforts, the Virod Lake has seen a capacity enhancement of 15%. Boasting its new features such as strengthened embankments, nesting islands and outer fence, the Virod Lake has become an ecological hotspot for local flora and fauna. This project by E.F.I has benefited over 3000 individuals, showcasing the success of community-based conservation efforts in revitalizing and sustaining local ecosystems.
Stay tuned in this space for more lake restoration stories.
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