Bahour Lake, Puducherry's second-largest freshwater body, is rapidly losing its water-spread area due to illegal agricultural encroachment and neglected feeder channels. Environmentalists warn of a looming groundwater crisis in the region.
- Bahour Lake's water-spread area is diminishing due to unregulated farming and human intervention.
- Feeder channels are heavily clogged with silt and water hyacinth, preventing water inflow.
- Allegations have surfaced regarding the issuance of land pattas within the lakebed by revenue departments.
- Local farmer collectives are demanding decentralized, community-led water management.
Bahour Lake, the second-largest freshwater lake in Puducherry and a vital lifeline for regional irrigation, is facing an existential threat. Spanning approximately 1,765 acres, the lake is witnessing a steady decline in its water-spread area. Environmental activists and local farmers attribute this shrinkage to unchecked agricultural cultivation, rampant encroachments, and the complete neglect of its feeder channels.
Reports indicate that human interventions, such as the creation of small bunds and pathways to facilitate farming within the lakebed, have significantly altered its natural structure. Most alarmingly, there are serious allegations that the Revenue Departments of both Puducherry and Tamil Nadu have issued land pattas within the lake's water-spread area, allowing over 136 individuals to carry out multi-season cultivation on what should be protected water bodies.
Historical Background
The history of Bahour Lake is deeply rooted in the region's heritage, believed to predate the Chola period. During the Chola reign, the lake was systematically deepened to enhance its capacity. Local legends even suggest that a dancer named Bangari funded the construction of the canal to alleviate famine, while her sister Singari funded the bunds. In the 1970s, the lake was a robust irrigation source, serving an ayacut of 1,740 acres across Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the degradation of Bahour Lake is not merely an ecological loss but a looming socio-economic disaster. The loss of water-spread area directly impacts the region's ability to recharge groundwater, which could lead to severe water scarcity for both agricultural and domestic use in the surrounding areas in the coming years.
Cultivation in the lakebed reduces its capacity to store monsoon rainwater and severely affects groundwater recharge in surrounding areas.
V. Chandrasekhar, president of the Bangaru Vaickal Neeraadhara Kootamaippu, highlighted that the lake has not undergone desilting since 1980. This lack of maintenance has led to feeder channels being choked with thick vegetation and water hyacinth. Furthermore, illegal fishing and the diversion of water for unauthorized crops have further depleted the lake's resources.
| Feature | Historical Status (1970s) | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation Area (Ayacut) | 1,740 Acres | Rapidly Shrinking |
| Management System | Community-led (Kudimaramathu) | Government Neglect/Encroachment |
| Channel Condition | Clear and Functional | Clogged with Silt & Weeds |
The water users' association has urged the Puducherry government to move away from centralized management and instead hand over the maintenance of waterbodies to local tank associations. They have also called for the establishment of a dedicated Water Resources Department and the implementation of a Participatory Irrigation Management Act to ensure sustainable governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is causing the shrinkage of Bahour Lake?
The primary causes are illegal land encroachment, agricultural activity within the lakebed, and silted-up feeder channels.
2. How does this affect the local population?
It reduces the lake's ability to store rainwater and recharge groundwater, threatening the long-term water security of the region.
