The Neglected Lake of Mount Abu: A Cry for Help

Exploring the Enchanting Nakki Lake: A Jewel of Mount Abu.

Nakki Lake Mount Abu.
Photo per kind favour Harry(Harnam)

Nakki Lake when neglected 

Oh, the lake of Mount Abu, once pristine and blue, now murky and green, is a sad sight to be seen. Tourists flock to its shore, but do they see it anymore? Dumping their trash without a care, they cannot spare the lake's beauty. Oh, the lake of Mount Abu, once a jewel in the view, is now a victim of neglect. It is the fate we must resurrect. Let us join hands and make a vow to save this lake, starting now, by cleaning up after ourselves, and taking care of its waters and shelves. Oh, the lake of Mount Abu, may it shine again anew, a place of peace and beauty, for all to enjoy.

Mount Abu, a tranquil hill station in Rajasthan, India, is well-known for its natural beauty and serene settings. Over the past ten years, the town has turned into a thriving tourist hub, with diverse hotels, guesthouses, and cafes appearing to accommodate the influx of visitors. Unfortunately, the town's most famous feature, Nakki Lake, has suffered because of the inflow of tourists.

The Gracia tribe considers Nakki Lake in Mount Abu sacred. They gather there during their festival in April or May to honour their ancestors. The lake also holds a particular place in the hearts of the Abuites, who have grown up visiting it, feeding the ducks and admiring the scenery. Unfortunately, the lake has fallen into neglect, and its condition is poor.

The once beautiful lake, which drew poets, hikers, and lovelorn couples, now reflects neglect. Rubbish and filth surround the lake, and the water is dark and sluggish. The lake's suffering has had little influence on the local Abuites or local officials, who appear to have turned a blind eye to its misery.

Mount Abu's water supply is exclusively dependent on the smaller Khodra dam, while the upper Khodra dam is nearly inoperable. Mount Abu relies on the water from Nakki Lake throughout the summer and during times of scarcity. Even after passing through the filter house, this polluted water remains a serious source of worry.

They must save as soon this gorgeous lake as possible. They must provide permanent remedies, as well as heavy penalties for anybody who pollutes the environment of this location. Building little parks and beautifying the lake will not alleviate the problem of lake water quality. To maintain the lake clean, strict laws must be established for both visitors and residents.

Aside from that, it is important to educate local inhabitants on the significance of protecting the lake's environment. We must educate residents on the need to protect water quality and the negative consequences of contaminating the lake. They can accomplish this through education and awareness efforts.

To summarise, the Mount Abu water crisis is a severe issue that demands an immediate response from all parties. Both Abuites and tourists need to conserve the lake's surroundings and preserve its natural riches. If we work together and take proactive steps to protect the environment and conserve water, we can ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for Mount Abu.

Selfie point I love Mount Photo per kind favour Harry(Harnam)

Boating on the Nakki Lake Photo per kind favour Harry(Harnam)

Garbage in the lake Photo per kind favour Harry(Harnam)

Nakki Lake at sunset
Photo per kind favour Harry(Harnam)

Nakki Lake Mount Abu

The legendary Nakki Lake Mount Abu

Even though I’m An Abuite, I should be well aware of the origins of this fascinating lake at the heart of the city, but I’m not. I believe that it was dug out by the fingernails of some legendary character as a herculean task so that he could marry his lady love. Another theory is that this lake is a very sacred lake for the fun-filled Gracia tribe. This tribe visit the lake by the hundreds on their festival in Shukla Paksha in April or May to worship and remember their ancestors, and consecrate their nails, hence I feel this would be a more realistic reason for the name Nakki.

They say it’s a man-made lake. All along, I thought it was the cradle of an extinct volcano. If one observes the hills of Abu, one can only see fascinating larva-shaped rocks. Heck, I have gone off on a tangent. I was to give you an update on the critical water situation prevailing here in Abu. Have a look at some snaps I took a few weeks ago of the lake, it’s not a pretty sight.

Nakki Lake 29,April 2010

Another View of the lake

At a different Angle Nakki Lake 29,April 2010

Pathetic state At a different Angle Nakki Lake 29,April 2010

Graylangur escaping the summer heat

The playing field for the geese Nakki Lake

Gulmohar tree at the lake

FINALLY ABUITES HAVE WOKEN UP TO THE PLIGHT OF NAKKI LAKE.Mount Abu

Big drive by Abu Committee on July 7, 2019, to clean the area around Nakki Lake. 

Banner for the coming event.

A Call to Action: Abuites Unite to Save Mount Abu's Nakki Lake

Introduction:

In a surprising turn of events, the Mount Abu community, popularly known as Abuites, has finally banded together to confront Nakki Lake's long-standing predicament. This beautiful body of water, which serves as a lifeline and reserve drinking water source for the population, has been a subject of concern for many years.

The Big Push:

On July 7, 2019, the Abu Committee launched a major effort to clean up the area around Nakki Lake. The joint effort including volunteers from multiple sectors, including the Nakki Lake Market Association, Main Market Association, Street Vendors Unions, Hotel and Hostel Association, School, the CRPF, and local people, makes this initiative particularly significant.

Solidarity in Action: With their fingers crossed for good weather, the Abuites hope to show their solidarity as responsible inhabitants of this quaint hill resort. It's a commendable attempt to protect Nakki Lake, which provides critical drinking water during dry years. The irony of a thunderstorm suddenly assisting in the cleanup work, on the other hand, adds a bit of humour to the situation.

A Cry for Consistent Action:

While this community cleanup is undeniably a beginning in the right way, there is an urgent need for a year-round commitment to tackling Nakki Lake's challenges. Rather than one-time efforts, a year-round collaborative and thorough push for remedial actions is required for a long-term solution.

Mechanical Cleaning as a Daily Routine: The blog recommends that mechanical cleaning of the lake become a day-to-day task entrusted to the district administration's cleaning personnel. This practical technique might aid in reducing the buildup of waste and pollutants, therefore maintaining the lake's long-term health.

The site also stresses the important role of the Abuites in preventing visitors from damaging the lake. It proposes fines for individuals who trash in the designated "RED ZONE," as well as a sense of duty and ownership among community members.

Conclusion: There is a ray of hope for Nakki Lake in the collaborative efforts of the Abu Committee and the different volunteers. However, as the site sensibly argues, this should just be the start of a long-term commitment to the lake's well-being. Mount Abu can ensure that Nakki Lake remains a pristine beauty for future generations via community-driven initiatives and persistent work.

Sector-wise cleaning of the lake area by volunteers of Mount Abu

To read more about our beloved lake, click the link below.

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OUR BELOVED NAKKI LAKE 

Nakki Lake the Life Line of Mount Abu

Implement strict rules to observe while visiting Nakki Lake. Mt Abu.

Nakki Lake from Toad rock 

To save Nakki Lake, the following 20 suggestions should be implemented.

1. Water should be the only priority for any action

2, There should be a total ban on constriction in a vicinity of one kilometre from the centre of the lake forever except for repair.

3. No Planting of trees by anyone except the forest department or any other decoration done around the lake, as this always gives temptation to forget about the water and think about the rest of the things.

4. Only fog lights should be used so as not to disturb the beauty of the lake and the starry sky above; if lights are needed, they should be only the footlight securely placed to light the road a little, thus not disturbing the nocturnal animal movement like that of bats, Bear, leopard, etc. Flying foxes and bats skimming the lake for water.

Flying foxes and bats skimming the lake for water.

5. Except for soft pleasant music for a fixed duration in the evenings, there should be no noise in and around the lake

6. All vehicles except those for emergency service be allowed ever in and around the lake.

7 No one should carry eatables in the lake while boating. I’ve observed tourists drinking beer while boating.

8. Anyone littering the lake or its surrounding should be  penealized and heavily fined.

9. Immersion of many objects, including Idols be prohibited

10. An expert organization on lake cleansing should keep our lake clean and free of any rubbish that can contaminate our precious water.

11. Penalise those who bathe and wash clothes in the lake 

11. There should be round-the-clock cleaning of the lake as it’s done on all hill stations.

13. Special security guards from the municipality should be employed to watch and protect the lake from tourists throwing garbage and bottles into the lake.

14. All unnecessary structures be demolished around the lake.

15. No cattle be allowed in and around the lake.

16. Life Jackets should be mandatory on all boats plying in the lake as 90% of tourists do not know swimming..

17. Poaching of fish should be stopped. Broken fishing lines are a danger to the aquatic life in the lake.

18. No one should dispose of paint thinners or chemical products around the lake.

19. Do not feed the ducks, geese, grass carp or other wildlife.

20. OPEN ALL THE CLOGGED CATHMENTS IMMEDIATELY

Mystical Nakki Lake laid Bare Mount Abu

Nakki Lake laid Bare Mount Abu 

Nakki Lake Viewed  from Toad rock.

Nakki Lake 

This mystical and serene lake with its mysteries of being a lake with an unfathomable depth today stands bare with the latest survey conducted on it by limnological observations. No-where is it mentioned in the report that the lake is over 10.5 meters or more precisely 35 feet in depth? I never questioned the depth of the lake as I thought it was a few 100 feet or more than it’s an extinct volcanic crater, it was assumed that at various points the depth would be gauged according to the shaft that spewed volcanic rocks thousands of years ago, today’s technology boom sure has put speculation in its place.

When someone talks about the lake, it is generally accepted that it’s the main attraction of Abu and the tourists at large look forward to having a boat ride around the lake when they visit this lovely hill station of ours. Alas, the report is frightening. The lake now seen in its new vein after this report sends cold shivers down my very being. Is it going to be like many water bodies in different parts of the country that have turned into cesspools of filth? Rapid urbanization, unchecked discharge of domestic effluents, area of encroachment around the periphery of the lake, dumping of solid wastes, immersing of idols are also threatening the very existence of this calm lake.

Could a non-experienced "every day" citizen actually go head-to-head with an established Municipality and win, if position and power held by these individuals is not a factor? With the lethargic state of Municipal politics today, the answer is: absolutely. To save this life giving water resource, originator of life, and indicator of our overall health of the people of Abu, the Abuites are needed to goad these very officials they have voted into power to take a firm and lasting policy to see that the lake is preserved like the Kohinoor diamond. The lake is FAR more precious than any diamond in the world, as it is the root of all living beings. We cannot ignore the water of the lake as some common, worthless commodity. Our drive as responsible citizens should be to make an all out effort to save our own precious bowl of water if we and the future generations of this hill station are to live healthier.

My personal appeal to all Abuites are to come forward and try to save this Mystical lake of ours that has provided us with its life-giving waters, entertained the tourists and habitat to so many varieties of other creatures.DO GO THROUGH THE REPORT ATTACHED IT SHOULD BE A WARNING AND HARBINGER TO WHAT THE FATE OF THE LAKE HOLDS FOR US ABUITES.

http://ainsleyster.googlepages.com/nakkilakelimnologicalreport.pdf

Nakki Lake The spectral Green lake Mount Abu

The spectral Green lake Mount Abu

Plummy the guardian looks down on the lake,

A mammoth whose forte is at stake

He’s perceived the birth of the lake,

A sheer human force, that put it together by sweat and rakes.

It’s a manmade lake, the largest artificial sparkling body ever made

Its beauty inspired the poets and the sages, and Plummy smiled

That smile has now grown into a scowl; the spangled lake now lies strangled

By the very humans who gave it its birth.

Nakki Lake one of the biggest manmade lakes is rapidly losing its grandeur. In spite of the wonderful parks and gardens surrounding the lake, the lakes banks are a sight for sore eyes, the stagnant water which has given the lake its unique green colour is littered with plastic bottles, plastic bags and a host of other debris.  The stench at the moment is quite unbearable but by summer walking around this beautiful lake would be pure hell.

The municipality and the other government agencies are far too busy at the moment knocking down buildings to care two hoots for the lifeline that in dire drought supports the people of this town and the tourists that visit this oasis. A number of hotels and restaurants on the boundary of the lake should be monitored strictly to see that they do not dump their solid waste into the lake.

Over the years, thanks to corrupt and uncaring lake authorities, encroachers in nexus with authorities have practically legalized their encroachment through pressure. The health of the lake has reached an epidemic level. Tourism has played no less a role in contributing to the pollution and contamination of the lake. To read more on the condition of the lake read the blog I posted here. http://footloosenfancyfree.blogspot.com/2008/06/abus-mystical-nakki-lake-misconceptions.html
The Latest snaps of our grand lake the one and only Nakki Lake

Nakki Lake

Abu gone Green So have I

Stars by day

 OH Gosh my interior has just thrown up

Forgive me for the Stench I did not cause it Human

ABU’S SUMMER FESTIVAL

 Gracias congregate at  Nakki Lake on Budh Purnima.

Gracias congregate at Nakki Lake

Gracias congregate at Nakki Lake

 Gracias congregate at  Nakki Lake on Budh Purnima

Today the Summer Festival in Abu has commenced, and so has a longstanding traditional event, the annual mass arrival of the Gracias onto Nakki Lake at Budh Purnima. It’s an auspicious day for the Buddhist and the Hindu worshiper at large. The annual influx of the Gracias with their eye-catching attire, bright bold coloured traditional dresses and flashing jewellery is associated with the very essence and extraordinary world of, outstanding grandeur. Nothing on this good earth can ever change the destination of these folks from visiting the mythical Nakki Lake at every Budh Purnima. It’s like a moth being drawn to the flame; mingling with these extraordinary folks today at the lake sent a pang of envy through my very being. My human-inspired notions of what life is all about came crashing down like a bolt of lightning; this is what life is all about, one needs to be willing to let go and live life to the hilt like these simple tribal folks. I marvel at their zest for fun and frolic, to reach here some of them have trudged barefooted all the way up the mountain from their respective villages a distance of over 30 or more kilometres

This year the summer festival is slated to be an extraordinary event, a lot of planning by the town authorities has gone into it, and the venues for different events are scheduled at vantage points all around Abu. Dusk will usher in either a play or discourses at different venues slated for these events. We advise tourists to pay heed to the announcements made by the authorities what events are slated and at what venue. I’m sure those fortunate tourists who happened to be present at the lake today will go away with some fond memories of these Rajasthani folks.

Ducks in Nakki Lake an update Mount Abu

Ducks in Nakki Lake

Ducks introduced into Nakki 

Three little ducks swimming in the lake,

Murky, stagnation, green and a depressing state,

For the Abuites, whose lifeline is being severed?

By the ever-flowing tourists who dump there

Garbage into the lake in discarded fashion.

Giving two hoots, as no one is there to boot

Their buts and tell them, Hey are you nuts

It's our drinking water in times of disaster.

Photographs in today's post kind favour Harry.

Newly acquired tourist attraction by Mount Abu Municipality 

Sad state of affairs Filth and garbage in and around the lake

Mount Abu a humble one-horse town has suddenly over the last decade boomed into a huge tourist-seeking hub. From a mere handful of hotels over 15 years ago, it now has over 300 hotels, guesthouses, lodges and umpteen new eateries. The number of tourists is growing by leaps and bounds every year; this has brought with its woes increasing pollution, massive traffic, and water problems. The water crisis in Mount Abu may well become a catastrophe in the near future. 

Civic amenities need to be more robust, to deal with this huge influx of tourists throughout the year. Sewage systems in some parts have broken down and the roads have become unbearable. 

The upper Khodra dam being almost inoperable and our sole dependence on the lower Khodra dam has put this small hill station at grave risk. In the summer and in times of shortage, Abu depends on the GREEN Lake's water. This contaminated water, even if passed through the filter house, does say a lot. YIKES!! Wake up Abuites and protect the environs of the lake.

If anyone has anything to say or suggests, let's hear your opinion. Post your comments at the bottom of this blog.

Harry took pictures yesterday of the lake. Per kind of favour Harry.

Waiting for the monsoon rain to clear the scum

A Boon or a Bane for the hill station Mount Abu? 

 The neglected lake, once beloved by visitors, poets, and couples, no longer has its picturesque charm. Its state has had no effect on the local Abuites and the local authorities. Mount Abu may face a high cost if residents don't show support and respect for our ailing lake. an URGENT need to salvage this magnificent lake. Some permanent solutions need to be implemented and harsh punishments imposed on anyone who pollutes the environs of this place. 

Mount Abu " Drinking Water Quality and Health"

" Drinking Water Quality and Health"

An adequate supply of safe drinking water is one of the major prerequisites for a healthy life.The importance of clean water and the link between putrid water is seen by the number of patients flocking to doctors. Abu was once a proud health resort,where the weary came to recoup. Today it's reeking!!!Contaminated water is recognized by its foetid smell and unpleasant taste. The quality of water over the last few weeks has been so bad that the one cannot even muster the courage to bring a glass of water to one's parched lips. The stench from the water is like that of some decayed animals remains.

"Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. It is an affront to human dignity"
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General
We the people of Mount Abu strongly urge the honorable members of the Abu Municipality and the councilors of all wards,to take immediate action to resolve the drinking water crisis of Mount Abu before a major epidemic breaks out because of lax attitude by the very people at the helm.
Another issue that needs immediate attention is the lifeline of Abu the Nakki Lake. The smell from Nakki Lake hits you even before it comes in sight. A floating carpet of green algae and a dense matting of weeds, chemicals covers the inflow into the lake behind the mosque.the squatters probably caused this settled behind the mosque of the fresh-water lake whose beauty has inspired generations of poets.
Nowhere is the abject failure of Abu Municipality environmental policies more visible than in Nakki lake the lifeline of the people of Abu .There are virtually no clean-up operations done on the Lake. If any grants have been passed for the cleansing of the lake, there is nothing to show for it. The lake is dirtier than ever.
"In the past three years the condition of the lake has gone from bad to worse. I strongly urge the Authorities to go down to the lake and see for themselves the condition of the lake. Here is a photograph taken by me while strolling around the lake

The appalling state of the lake water

Buddha Purnima 10 May 2017 Mount Abu

Gracias congregate on Nakki Lake on Buddha Purnima 

Buddha Purnima /Flower Moon

Nakki Lake 

Buddha Purnima The full moon in May also referenced as the Flower Moon has a unique gravitational pull not so much on the waters of Nakki Lake but on the Gracias of Rajasthan. On Buddha Purnima, Gracias from Rajasthan come together at Nakki Lake to celebrate their traditions. Their zest for fun and frolic is exceptional to witness. Previously, a majority of these folks used to trudge all the way from their villages to be here at Nakki Lake on Buddha Purnima. This year, hundreds of them came to Abu on a variety of different motorcycles and scooters. Others used jeeps and local state and private transportation. Watching the tribal people in their vibrant traditional attire and hearing their joyful folklore songs is a unique experience.

 Bikes by the hundreds

 Harry on an admiring Trip

 Buying bangles 

 Immediate Tattoo

Within minutes, he had tattooed quite a few village bellies 

 Folk dance of the Gracias 

 Traditional Dress

 Enjoying ice-cream

 Observe NO MOBILES meeting old friends

 At the Lake

 Posing at a price 

 On the move 

 Traditional folk dance

I will post a video soon 

Gracias of Rajasthan