Reality check: Sambhar Lake may cease to exist in few years

Once known as the largest inland salty lake in the country, the Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan could soon become history.

Owing to human activities including illegal salt mining, encroachment around the catchment area, release of waste and pollutants into the lake water, illegal tube-wells and pipelines and many other activities, conservationists claim that the lake has already shrunk to 15 per cent its original size.

Interestingly, although the state government had floated the idea of creating a Sambhar Lake Development Authority (SLDA) to tackle the issues, three years have passed and no effort has been made to give the lake a fresh lease of life.

In 2015, the state government ideated on forming the SLDA on the lines of Chilika Lake Development Authority in Odisha to better the condition of the lake. “It was decided that the Chief Secretary would call a meeting of three collectors in whose jurisdiction the lake falls and discuss the proposal.

Furthermore, the irrigation department was to be directed to look into the reduced level of water storage in Sambhar Lake and suggest action for restoration of the lake,” sources said.

However, three years since, little progress has taken place in this regard on the ground. “The lake’s original size was around 190 square kilometers and the waterbody supported all sorts of avian and aquatic life. However, if one visits the area, one can see that the lake is confined to around 30 square kilometers, and that too only if the monsoon is more than average,” an official said.

Another senior official from the state forest department said, “The problem is that ideation is done but there is no follow up. Ideas are formed in AC rooms but officials are far away from the ground reality. As a result, there is no positive movement. Also, lakes and water-bodies don’t feature as a priority when there are hundreds of other works to address.”

No progress on proposed SLDA

In 2015, the state government ideated on forming the SLDA on the lines of Chilika Lake Development Authority in Odisha to better the condition of the lake. 
Although the state government had floated the idea of creating a Sambhar Lake Development Authority (SLDA) to tackle the issues, three years have passed and no effort has been made to give the lake a fresh lease of life.