Motor Boats Relocated to Save Upper Lake in Bhopal, ET TravelWorld

Boat Club, part of Upper Lake of Bhopal, is finally embarking on a conservation journey. With water levels plummeting to the lowest point in a decade, the tourism department is taking proactive measures by relocating all its fuel-powered boats to alternative locations.

Five speed boats are being relocated to other tourism destinations. The larger cruise vessel would take more time to find a destination. A cruise vessel, a prominent attraction in the Upper Lake, is also included in the list of boats to be relocated. MP State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC), general manager (water sports) Suhail Qadir, said, “In compliance with the Supreme Court directives, we have ceased the operation of motorised boats and cruise in the Upper Lake at Bhopal.”

Prior to this development, in March, MP tourism approached the Apex Court, seeking relief from a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that mandated the cessation of cruise vessels and other motor-propelled boats in the Bhoj wetland, which is a UNESCO Ramsar Site. Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal was declared as a Ramsar Site in 2002. It is spread in 3201 hectares. MPSTDC is a government agency that conducts and regulates the tourism activities in the state.

The ecological balance of Upper Lake, a man-made water body created thousands of years ago, is being disrupted by human activities. To preserve the wetland’s dynamic ecosystem, it is crucial to limit human intervention within the lake’s carrying capacity. Pradip Nandi, the director of the National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment (NCHSE), emphasized that “Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) too should intensify efforts to entirely prevent sewage inflow into the Upper Lake.” Moreover, Nandi pointed out that even non-motorized boats can significantly contribute to pollution in the lake.

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He stressed the need for strict regulations, stating, “Furthermore, even non-motorized boats can contribute to substantial pollution, necessitating stringent regulations to preserve the lake’s condition.” The implementation of these measures is essential to maintain the ecological integrity of Upper Lake and protect it from further degradation caused by anthropogenic factors. Open water feeding birds, such as waders, were the most affected by motorised boats. The ripples in the water caused disturbance and reduced the feeding area. Waders typically feed in calm waters. According to Rajesh Kumar Shan, a research scholar who led a WTI Rapid Action Project (RAP) grant from Feb to Nov 2020, fishing in the Upper Lake is also contributing to bird mortality. The study was conducted in collaboration with EPCO Bhopal and the state wildlife department. “During the study, a total of 15 trap nets and 23 discarded fishing nets were removed and 41 birds comprising 18 species were found dead in those nets,” he said. The study which lasted one year revealed the information.