|
The most remarkable change is in the lake itself. The drains were
diverted, two million tonnes of toxic silt were dredged from the bottom,
increasing its depth by over a metre, a water treatment system was
developed, local vegetation and fish reintroduced, the surrounding
wetlands regenerated and five nesting islands created to attract
migratory birds."
Topography
The lake, situated to the north of Jaipur city lies between Amer, the
historic city and Jaipur, the provincial headquarters of Rajastan state.
It has a water spread area of 300 acres (121 ha) and is enclosed by the
Aravalli hills on the north, west and eastern sides, while the southern
side consists of plains that are intensely inhabited. There is the
Nahargarh Fort (Nahargarh meaning home of tigers) in the hills that
provides a commanding view of the Man Sagar Lake and the Jal Mahal
palace, in addition to a beautiful view of the city of Jaipur. The lake
was created by constructing a dam across the Darbhawati River, between
Khilagarh hills and the hilly areas of Nahargarh, in the 16th century.
The drainage area of the lake is 23.5 square kilometres (9.1 sq
mi)contributed by an urban area accounting for 50% and hilly terrain
accounting for the balance, being degraded Aravalli hills, which have
added to the siltation problem in the lake. A rain fall average of 657.4
millimetres (25.88 in) per year (90% of this rainfall occurs during the
months of June to September) in the catchment contributes to the storage
in the reservoir. At the outlet end of the dam there is an irrigation
system that is supplied with water stored in the reservoir (obligatory
water demand for this is reported to be 2,410,000 cubic metres during
the five months from November to March). Two large nalas (streams) that
also drain the surrounding Nahargarh hills and Jaipur are the Brahmpuri
and Nagtalai, which bring in large amounts of untreated sewage, in
addition to solid wastes.
Geology and Soils
The hills surrounding the lake area, towards the north east of Jaipur,
have quartzite rock formations (with a thin layer of soil cover), which
is part of Aravalli hills range. Rock exposures on the surface in some
parts of the project area have also been utilised for constructing
buildings. From the north east, the Kanak Vrindavan valley, where a
temple complex is situated, the hills slope gently towards the lake
edge. Within the lake area, the ground area is made up of a thick mantle
of soil, blown sand and alluvium. Forest denudation, particularly in the
hilly areas, has caused soil erosion, compounded by wind and water
action. Due to this, silt built up in the lake resulting in a raising of
the bed level of the lake.
History
In the past, at the location of the lake, there was a natural depression
where water used to accumulate. During 1596 AD, when there was a severe
famine in this region there was consequent acute shortage of water. The
then ruler of Amer was, therefore, motivated to build a dam to store
water to overcome the severe hardships caused by the famine to the
people inhabiting the region. A dam was constructed, initially using
earth and quartzite, across the eastern valley between Amer hills and
Amagarh hills. The dam was later converted into a stone masonry
structure in the 17th century. The dam, as existing now (see picture),
is about 300 metres (980 ft) long and 28.5–34.5 metres (94–113 ft) in
width. It is provided with three sluice gates for release of water for
irrigation of agricultural land in the down streamarea. Since then, the
dam, the lake and the palace in its midst have undergone several rounds
of restoration under various rulers of Rajasthan but the final
restoration in the 18th century is credited to Jai Singh II of Amer.
During this period, a number of other historical and religious places,
such as the Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Khilangarh Fort,
and Kanak Vrindavan Valley were also built in the vicinity. All of these
places are now linked by a tourist corridor of roadworks.
Man Sagar Lake
In recent years, with the urbanisation of Jaipur city and areas
surrounding the lake, the ecological system of the lake and its vicinity
deteriorated drastically. It became heavily silted thereby reducing the
surface area of the lake. The silt deposited (estimated to be about
2,500,000 cubic metres) was contaminated with effluents (untreated
sewage) from the city's drainage system causing intense eutrophication.
|
The ground water surrounding the lake was also found to be highly
contaminated and created serious health hazards. The rainwater
combined with sewage water flow from the city resulted in the lake
water giving off a foul smell. Water samples collected from the lake
were tested and found to clearly show that the water quality was not
uniform. It was extremely poor in southeast, south and southwest due
to the influent nalas. The water quality parameters of BOD and total
nitrogen recorded were 20 mg/L each. BOD values indicated high
levels of organic matter. COD showed a very high level of oxidisable
chemicals. Nitrate and phosphate content were excessive. Coliform
counts was more than 500 times the norm. The Chloride content was
found to be fatal to plants and fish. |
 |
The fresh water draining into the lake is seasonal during the rainy
months of July to September. This flow originates from 325 small and
large streams that drain from the hilly catchment of the lake. The two
municipal nalas from Jaipur city contribute a perennial flow to the
lake. The volume of water in the lake has been assessed as 3,130,000
cubic metres at the maximum water level. During the dry season, from
October to June, it is said to be about 360,000 cubic metres. The depth
of water at the deepest location in the lake is recorded at a maximum of
4.5 metres (15 ft) and a minimum of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). In addition,
the stored water is also used for irrigation at the downstream end of
the lake during the summer months resulting in a drying up of the lake
during these months.
Flora and Fauna
The flora is dictated by the subsidiary Edaphic type of dry tropical
forests in the catchment; the total forest area of 9.01 square
kilometres (3.48 sq mi) comprises dense forest cover of 6.45 square
kilometres (2.49 sq mi) area, degraded forest of 0.95 square kilometres
(0.37 sq mi) and encroachment of 1.61 square kilometres (0.62 sq mi).
The dominant floral specie found in the area is Dhauk (Anogeissus
pendula), which has lean foliage. The low vegetation cover and steep
gradient of the hills causes substantial erosion and the eroded material
flows into the lake. On the western side, beyond the urbanised area, the
Nahargarh hills on the western side are also denuded, which has reduced
its moisture retaining capacity.
The reserve forest area of the lake catchment has several wild life
species such as Deer, Jungle cat, striped hyena, Indian Fox, Indian wild
Boar and leopards.
The lake used to be a bird watcher's paradise in the past and was a
favourite ground for the Rajput kings of Jaipur for royal duck shooting
parties during picnics. The lake was natural habitat for more than 150
species of local and migratory birds that included Large Flamingo, Great
Crested Grebe, Pintail, Pochards, Kestrel, Coot, Redshank, Marsh
Sandpiper, Ruff, Herring Gull, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail,
but their numbers declined with the deterioration of the lake. Now, with
restoration works undertaken, the birds have started visiting the lake
again, though not to the same degree as in the past. In order to attract
attention to the lake's condition, a private initiative of holding an
annual birding fair was started in 1997. It is reported that the common
moorhen, a resident species has started breeding in large numbers at the
lake. The other birds seen now are the grey heron, white-browed wagtail
and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters. The lake was also home for a large species
of the aquatic ecosystem such as fish, insects, microorganisms and
aquatic vegetation.
The Palace
The Jal Mahal palace is considered an architectural beauty built in the
Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture (common in Rajasthan) providing
a picturesque view of the lake (from the Man Sagar Dam on the eastern
side of the lake that acts as a vantage point for viewing the lake and
the valley), and the surrounding Nahargarh (abode of the tigers) hills.
The palace, built in red sandstone, is a five storied building out of
which four floors remain under water when the lake is full and the top
floor is exposed.
 |
The rectangular Chhatri on the roof is of the Bengal
type. The chhatris on the four corners are octagonal. The palace had
suffered subsidence in the past and also seepage due to water logging,
which have been repaired under the restoration project undertaken by the
Government of Rajasthan.
On the terrace of the palace, a garden was built with arched passages.
At each corner of this palace semi-octagonal towers were built with an
elegant cupola. The restoration works done in the palace in the past
(10–15 years back) were not satisfactory and an expert in the field of
similar architectural restoration works of Rajastahn palaces carefully
examined the designs that could decipher the originally existing
designs on the walls, after removing the recent plaster work. Based
on this finding, restoration works were redone with traditional
materials for plastering.
|
The plaster now used consisted of an organic material of a
special mortar mix of lime, sand and surkhi mixed with jaggery, guggal
and methi (cummins) powder. It was also noticed that there was hardly
any water seepage, except for a little dampness, in the floors below the
water level. But the original garden, which existed on the terrace had
been lost. Now, a new terrace is being created based on a similar roof
garden existing on the Amer palace.
The Royal family chhatris and cenotaphs
At Gaitore, opposite to the lake, there are chhatris and cenotaphs
erected over cremation platforms of some of the Kachwaha rulers of
Jaipur. They were built by Jai Singh II within landscaped gardens. The
cenotaph monuments are in honor of Pratap Singh, Madho Singh II and Jai
Singh II, among others. Jai Singh II's cenotaph is made of marble and
has impressive intricate carvings. It has a dome with 20 carved pillars.
Restoration Works
In the year 2000, Government of Rajasthan entrused to IL&FS the task of
finding a permanent solution to the development requirements of the Man
Sagar Lake and the palace.
 |
In 2001, Government of Rajasthan initiated a project for the
'Ecological Restoration of Man Sagar Lake' and the palace in its
midst to its past glory and to enhance the tourism potential of the
precincts, through the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) as the
nodal agency. It was also recommended that private developers should
also be involved in this effort. In the year 2002, the Ministry of
Environment and Forests sanctioned through its National Lake
Conservation Programme (NLCP), Rs247.2 million (about US$5 million)
and released Rs173 million (about US $3.46 million) as grant-in-aid
with the proviso that the balance amount shall be raised by JDA. JDA
initiated steps for restoration and completed 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)
tourist trail and a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)) long promenade, apart
from other works. |
In 2004, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation took matters in
its hands and decided to try and restore the monument to its original
glory. They signed an agreement with Jal Mahal Resorts, granting it a
99-year lease to develop 100 acres along the Man Sagar Lake (in the
middle of which Jal Mahal stands) and the palace. The 99-year lease was
given out to a business tycoon, Navratan Kothari. For the past 9 years,
he has worked on the cleaning of the lake and restoration of the Palace.
Now there are many inhabitants of the area and it has created a great
job opportunity for the people of Jaipur and Rajasthan. For the future,
Navratan plans to build a few hotels around Jal Mahal and make it a very
popular tourist destination.
Joint
sector project
The Lake restoration project of the Man Sagar Lake area with an
estimated investment of Rs1.5 billion (considered as one of the largest
and unique such projects in India) has evolved a plan that has diverse
project components. Consequently, there are many project stakeholders
and beneficiaries. The project stake holders are: the Government of
Rajasthan and their subordinate organizations such as the Public Works
Department (PWD), Rajasthan Urban Development Authority (RUIDP), the
Jaipur Development Authority (JDA – the nodal agency for implementation
of all aspects of the project), the Department of Tourism, Rajasthan
Project Development Fund (RPDF) and the Rajasthan Tourism Development
Corporation (RTDC) and an Empowered Committee on Infrastructure
Development (ECID); the Central Government organizations associated for
planning and financing are the Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MOE&F) through its National River Conservation Program (NRCP) and ILFS.
The Private Sector Developer (PSD) appointed was M/s KGK Consortium.
Under the public–private sector partnership model approved by the EICD,
PDCOR had prepared the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the restoration
of Man Sagar Lake, Jal Mahal restoration and lake precincts development.
The total project area for restoration and development approved by ECID
was 432 acres (175 ha) comprising the lake with 300 acres (120 ha) water
spread, the lake precincts area of 100 acres (40 ha), which subsumed 15
acres (6.1 ha) of submerged land) for tourism development under joint
sector cooperation and 32 acres (13 ha) for lake promenade and tertiary
treatment facility and related works.
Unique features of the project
The studies indicated two approaches to tackle the nature of
environmental degradation that had occurred in the lake, namely, dealing
with natural catchment area and concurrently addressing the serious
problem of municipal sewerage emerging from large scale urbanisation or
human settlement.
 |
Keeping this broad planning approach in view, under the lake
restoration project, the works undertaken involved were: the
re-alignment of city drains, de-silting of the lake, construction of
artery road from Amber to Man Sagar Dam (about 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi)),
construction of check dam in a 100 metres (330 ft) length with silt
removed from the lake, creation of three nesting islands for migratory
birds, lake front promenade in1 kilometre (0.62 mi)), afforestation and
treatment of forest area portion of lake catchment, plantation to
stabilise the slopes of bank formation. Afforestation envisaged
plantation of local plant species such as Acacia arabica (Desi babool)
and tamarix indica (planting close to the water edge where they can grow
well), Terminalia arjuna (Arjun ) poplar, Neem and all species of Ficus. |
In addition, to remove eutriphication of the lake water and improve its
water quality, in-situ Bioremediation process with 140 diffusers & 5 air
compressors to aerate and create inversion of the lake bed and stored
water was also envisaged. The city sewage, which supplied 7.0 MLD of
untreated sewage was treated with Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and
then led to the lake to maintain its water level, after due removal of
nutrients through tertiary treatment. This process involved diversion of
the Brahampuri Nala into the Nagtalai Nala by a lined channel to its
south. This was then lead through a treatment plant on site to generate
secondary level effluent, which was then discharged into an artificial
wetland through a hyacinth channel. For this purpose, a Physico Chemical
Treatment Plant was also envisaged and the effluent from this plant was
taken through artificially created wetlands in an area of 4 hectares
(9.9 acres)) (not only to treat the water but also to serve as natural
habitat for birds) and through this process the entire eco-system is
being re-generated. Vegetation generated in this process is disposed in
a composite pit near the lake.
It is also reported that about 500,000 cubic metres of silt was removed
from the lake. This silt was then put to use for strengthening of
embankment and building of islands as wintering grounds for migratory
birds.
After the above initial restoration works of the lake and its feeder
system were mostly completed by the JDA, during 2003, private sector
developers were invited to develop identified tourism components on the
land adjoining the lake. After following the due process, a joint sector
undertaking called the PDCOR was formed between the JDA of the Rajasthan
Government and the consortia of private developers with lead provided by
M/s. KGK Enterprises. The project for tourism development was entrusted
to this joint group. The tourism project entailed development of
Convention Centre and Art Gallery, Multiplex and Entertainment Centre,
Craft Bazaar, Arts and Craft Village, Resort Hotels, restaurants and
food courts, public park and gardens including responsibility for
restoration and maintenance of the Jal Mahal.
Visitor Information
The Jal Mahal palace within the Shan Sagar Lake is accessible from the
Jaipiur-Delhi National Highway No 8, over a road distance of 4
kilometres (2.5 mi)) from Jaipur. Delhi is a further 273 kilometres (170
mi)) away. Jaipur city being centrally located in Rajasthan, the
National Highway No.8 not only links to Delhi but also to Mumbai. NH
No.11 is a road link of 366 kilometres (227 mi)) from Bikaner to Agra
via Jaipur. The lake is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi)) from Amer palace on the
Amber - Man Sagar Dam road to the north.
The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport (IATA: JAI, ICAO: VIJP),
located in the
southern suburb of Sanganer, 13 km (8.1 mi) from Jaipur, the capital
of the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Delhi and Mumbai are the two main gateway cities to Rajasthan from
international destinations. There are regular flights connecting Delhi
and Mumbai to Jaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan and also important
destinations like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai operated by domestic
carriers.
The Jal Mahal palace is now
open to visitors for the first time having undergone dramatic
transformation.
|
