Planning for improving natural drainage in catchment area of hathaikheda lake, Bhopal

Abstract

Urbanization is a necessity of the current times. The world is expected to become more urbanized as we peek into future. However, urbanization has brought about changes – both positive and negative to the social, economic and environmental systems. Among the many changes brought in by urbanization, the most visible and impactful is the land use/land cover change. It has also altered the natural drainage system and has affected both freshwater cycle and hydrological cycle. Due to rapid urbanization and unplanned growth of the cities in peripheral areas, the impact of urban flooding increases to many folds resulting into economic losses and infrastructural damages. Urban areas are affected more severely due to high concentration of population, more impermeable surfaces which increases the rate of surface run off, poorly planned cities ,urban sprawl, poorly designed and maintained storm water drain and inadequate solid waste management resulting into blockages in the drains The city of Bhopal was selected based on recent reports and researches pointing to its degrading environmental quality. The city is having undulating topography, rapid urbanization in terms of built up and population in last 2 decades. Hathaikheda Lake along with its catchment area was selected to conduct the detailed study. This artificial lake is an important source of water supply for irrigation purpose and also being used for fish culture. It is fully dependent on rain water and its catchment area is rapidly concretizing with various types of development which led to social and environmental problems; destruction of catchment area, pollution and degradation of water body. Moreover, the catchment area of this lake come under most floods affected area in last two events of flooding in Bhopal city. This study will aim to improve the natural drainage system in catchment area to conserve Hathaikheda lakes through planning interventions. This has been achieved by first understanding the importance of catchment and drainage pattern in lake conservation; second by studying the development pattern within catchment area of lake; third by identifying and assessing the impact of development pattern on natural drainage system of catchment area and finally