SUB:
POWAI LAKE - NATIONAL LAKE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME / ENVIRONMENT WORK

1.BACKGROUND

       We the Maharashtra State Angling Association (MSAA) are a Registered Association and have been in existence for 61 years i.e. since 1935, We are the oldest Angling Club in India which we feel is also a credit to the city of Mumbai and part of its basic culture and heritage. Since the last 61 years, the Mumbai Municipality has leased to us 2 plots at Paspoli Village, Powai Lake where we have a Meeting Hall, Boat Building facilities, and Nursery and Hatchery for the Lake fish.
In the last 6 years or so our Association has extended its activities from angling to TOTAL CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AT POWAI LAKE. We have also changed our Constitution in 1992 to make ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION an integral part of our overall activities.

2. ENVIRONMENT WORK BY MSAA

       Our Club is a non-profit making Organization and our income is mainly from memberships. Most of our meager income is spent on environment work as follows:
a) Removal of weeds like Water Hyacinths.
b) Introduction of fish fry (2 to 5 lacs every year)
c) Monthly water analysis (Ph.D. scholarship sponsored by MSAA- SOMAIYA COLLEGE STUDENT)
d) Security and Patrolling of Powai Lake 24 hours by MSAA to prevent stealing of fish and other malpractices.
e) Interaction with Angling and Environment Bodies in India (we have reciprocal membership with other
Associations in India).
f) Work with Central Institute of Fisheries Education - Versova, Mumbai (a Research Manual on Powai Lake has been completed).
g) Introduction and replenishment of the great Indian Mahseer. Powai Lake is the home of the great Indian Mahseer - a famous Indian fish which is facing extinction. We (MSAA) have introduced this fish with the help of Tata Hydro, Walvan, Lonavla and are protecting its survival.
h) Introduction of Weavils to control aquatic weeds (work with R.R. Labs Hyderabad).
i) We have also published a book called "Powai -The Anglers Paradise" to create public interest in Powal Lake and MSAA activities.

3. THE FAUNA & FLORA AT POWAI LAKE

         The MSAA has introduced, grown and preserved the following fish- mainly Major Indian Carp and the Mahaseer game fish.
 

COMMON NAME		SCIENTIFIC NAME		MAX WT.-KG
Catla		Catla Catla		25
Mirgal		Cirrhinus Mrigala		08
Mahseer		Tor Khudree		04
Calabose		Labeo Calbasu		03
Gouramy		Orphronemus Gouramy		04
Rohu		Labeo Rohita		10
Silver Carp		Molitrisc Hypophthalmichthys		30
Megalop		Megalop		03
Common Carp		Cyprinus Carpio		05
Tilapia		Tilapia Mozambica		0.5
Cat fish		Clirias Batrchus		0.5

Aquarium fish: The following Aquarium fish are also present in Powai Lake

 

COMMON NAME		SCIENTIFIC NAME		MAX WT.-KG
Cat fish		Mystus Sp.		-
-		Ambasis Sp.		-
Chilwa		Oxygaster Bocaila		-
Giant Danio		Danio Malbaricus		-
Rasbora		Rasbora Daniconius		-
Malaber Killy		Aplocheilus Lineatus		-
Barb		Barbus Filamentasis		-

Other Water animals

 

COMMON NAME		SCIENTIFIC NAME
Ghorpads		Water Lizards
Crocodiles
Snails- 4 varieties

Aquatic Plants

 

Water Hyacinth		Anacharis Elodea		Duck Weed
Water Sprite		Ceratophyllium Hornworth
Water Lily		Hygrophillia

4. TRAGEDY AT POWAI IN 1993

       In May 1993, we witnessed a great tragedy at Powai lake when due to pumping out of water by some builders, Powai lake waters were split into 4 water bodies. At that time about 5000 fish each weighing about 20kgs i.e. 42lbs. perished overnight. We discovered and photographed one of the several pumps that was being used to pump out water from Powai and brought this to the attention of the Central Government, State Government and BMC by letters and also through the Media.

5. INITIATIVE BY MSAA TO PRESERVE POWAI LAKE

       To prevent a recurrence of such incidents and to preserve Powai Lake MSAA approached the Maharashtra Government and with the help of the then Minister for Environment Mr. Avinash Naik and the Secretary, Ministry of Environment this request was conveyed to the Central Government to protect Powai Lake. As a result of MSAA representation and the support from the Maharashtra State Government, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi and Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi included Powai Lake in the National Lake Conservation Programme which includes 21 lakes all over India. We have evidence to support our claim that this effort was initiated solely by our Association (MSAA) and endorsed by the Maharashtra Government.

As a result of Powai Lake being included in the National Lake Conservation programme, the Central Government has allocated Rs.26 Crores to the BMC for Beautifying , Preserving and Developing Powai Lake Environment including Sport fishing i.e. Angling.


6. ANGLERS AS ENVIRONMENTALISTS

       Angling is internationally accepted as being an Environment friendly activity since it is intended to Conserve aquatic life. I quote from a paper by Dr. P.V. Dehadrai - Director of Fisheries ICAR, New Delhi "It should be evident that the true Angler has a vital role to play in the conservation of sport fish and its habitat". In all examples given in Dr. Dehadrai's paper it should be noted that the lead in conservation of aquatic life has been given by the sporting angler. He further states that "unless immediate measures are taken to protect our great sport fish, we will loose irretrivably one of our major sources of food supply and tourist attractions - The Mahseer. There seems to be active participation of Anglers Association/Clubs in all schemes undertaken by the authorities for the conservation of game fish from the outside. Sport fishing is a multibillion dollar industry and Angling as a sport has potential for not only attracting our own foreign tourist but, also for stepping into a highly lucrative international market engaged in the manufacture of fishing (angling) gear".

These words coming form an authority like Dr. Dehadrai speak for themselves and we would like you to consider that Anglers are in fact, Environmentalists and Conservationists in the true sense of the word. For example, we at Powai introduce every year anywhere between 2 to 5 lac fish fingerlings. Our members catch about 5 to 6 thousand fish which are recorded and logged in our ledgers. The bulk of the fish are stolen by poachers but, fortunately many prize specimens still live at Powai because we release back many of the fish which are caught as per our Association Rules.

7. ANGLING FOR PROMOTING TOURISM IN INDIA AND INTERNATIONALLY

       In the States of Karnataka, West Bengal, Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam the State Governments either promote Angling as a Tourist attraction or support the local Angling and Environment Association. Coloured Brochures have been brought out in this respect by State Government Tourist Department. In countries like UK, USA, Mauritius, Scheycelles and Canada, Angling is a multi-million dollar industry promoted for Tourism.

8. CONSERVATION PLAN FOR POWAI AS RECOMMENDED BY MSAA

       As a result of Powai Lake being included in the National Lake Conservation Programme, a Meeting was convened by the BMC and we the MSAA were asked to submit detailed proposals for improving and beautifying Powai Lake. In our proposal submitted to the BMC dated July 7, 1995 we have recommended the following activities to be developed around Powai Lake and have also submitted Budgetary Proposals to cover:
a) Angling
b) Fish Breeding Farm to cater to interior Maharashtra fisheries as well as Powai Lake.
c) Camping Site for Scouts and Guides.
d) Picnic Site with Cabanas for Indian and Foreign tourist.
e) Nature Trek path for Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
f) Boating in a selected area of the lake.
g) A Crocodile Park.

9. THE ROLE OF BUILDERS IN CONSERVING POWAI LAKE

       At the Meeting convened by the BMC, we were perplexed to notice the presence of Builders around Powai Lake since, the pumping out of water and other building activities contributed to the deterioration of Powai lake. The importance given to some of these Builders appeared to be out of place as their interests are Commercial and their profession does not have a environmental orientation.

10. BUDGETARY PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY MSAA TO BMC for POWAI LAKE

       Some time later, you the BNHS which is the leading Society of its kind in India also called a Public Meeting on 3rd June 1995 at IIT Guest House Powai for the same purpose. The MSAA was listed to speak on Conservation of Powai Lake and delivered a detailed paper which was appreciated by all. As a result MSAA's budgetary proposals were drawn up by MSAAand sent to the commitee. The body of speakers at this meeting voiced apprehensions about the role of builders around Powai Lake.

12. OUR PLEA TO CONCERNED GOVT. & MUNCIPAL BODIES

       ... That an immediate Committee be founded to Formulate, Implement and Monitor all Plans for Conservation of Powai Lake and this Committee should consist of the following Bodies: -
i) The State Government Ministry of Environment
ii) The Central Goverment Ministry of Environment & Forests
iii) BMC (Mumbal Municipal Corporation)
iv) MSAA (Maharashtra State Angling Association)
v) BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society)
vi) The Save Bombay Committee
vii) OASIS
viii) I Love Mumbai Committee
ix) Save Nature Movement - MIDC - Mumbai
x) The Mumbai Police
xi) IIT - Mumbai

       We recommend this Committee because it will largely consist of Environmentalists, Conservationists, Activist and persons knowledgeable about Lakes, Fish Culture, Plants and Trees and Aquatic Life and Birds. You will fully appreciate that we respect the presence of the BMC as the focal point since they are the "CITY FATHERS". However, you will agree that since the MSAA and other Bodies listed above are essentially Environmentalists, such a Committee will be most suited to look after Powai Lake and help the BMC and ensure proper utilization of the allocated funds. We are unable to perceive the contribution of Builders in this Committee.

       We thank the BNHS profusely for giving us the opportunity to deliver this Paper and help to SAVE POWAI LAKE and THE MAHARASHTRA STATE ANGLING ASSOCIATION.