Mumbai: After six years of tireless efforts by citizens, the much-neglected Lokhandwala Lake in Mumbai is finally getting a long-overdue cleanup. Once a thriving ecosystem, the lake had fallen into disrepair, plagued by invasive plant species, algae and a constant influx of litter and debris. Now, thanks to coordinated efforts between residents and local officials, the lake’s restoration has officially begun.
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) received a renewed No Objection Certificate (NOC) to carry out the cleanup and a contractor was appointed for the task. Local MLA Haroon Khan, instrumental in facilitating the process, announced that after a formal coconut-breaking ceremony on Friday, machines would be deployed to begin the cleanup work. He also promised that further measures will be taken to prevent future dumping and to improve the lake’s condition.
Residents Demand Conservation Reserve Status
While the restoration is a major win for the local community, residents believe it’s only the beginning. Many are now pushing for Lokhandwala Lake to be granted conservation reserve status, similar to DPS Flamingo Lake in Navi Mumbai. The lake supports over 150 bird species, nearly 10 species of fish, and is surrounded by mangrove forests. Years of neglect, including illegal dumping by residents and commercial entities, have severely affected these habitats.
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The Lokhandwala Oshiwara Residents Association (LOCA), led by co-founders Dhaval Shah and Karan Jotwani, has been at the forefront of the campaign. From writing emails and organising cleanup drives to engaging with BMC officials and MLAs, their sustained efforts have finally borne fruit. The association even brought the issue to the attention of the State Human Rights Commission, which took suo motu cognisance and asked for a report from the relevant departments.
Jotwani stressed that the battle isn't over yet. “The earlier MLA proposed a park around the lake, but that would only encourage more litter. What we need is cleaning and long-term protection,” he said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
Naturalist and writer Sunjoy Monga also echoed those concerns, urging authorities to approach the cleanup scientifically to avoid harming aquatic life and birds. He recommended deploying security guards and installing CCTV cameras at key dumping spots to deter illegal fishing and waste disposal.
In 2022, then Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray had instructed the mangrove cell to consider declaring the lake forest land. For now, Lokhandwala Lake remains under the jurisdiction of the Collector’s Department, but with public and political support mounting, a formal change in its status might not be far off.
