HERAMBA CHANDRA COLLEGE

Water Pollution
Trishit Dutta
Regestration Number: 043-1121-0020-11
10-Dec-13

B.Com Honours 3rd year Section-1

 Aknowledgement

I would like to thank my college Heramba Chandra College for allowing

us to conduct such a project. I would also like to thank our dean Mr.
and our subject professors for helping us through thick and thin and
completing the project. Without their help this project would not have
been successful. I would also like to thank Kolkata Police and the
authorities of the Rabindra Sarovar Lake for helping us conduct this
project as peacefully and carefully as possible. Ad lastly my friends have
been indespensible for this project as because of their help and research
has made the completion of this project possible.

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 Contents
Introduction………………………………………. 3
Objectives…………………………………………. 4
Present condition of Dhakuria Lake…………….. 5
Survey of Literature……………………………… 6
Area of Study……………………………………… 6
Method of Study…………………………………… 7
Observations……………………………………….. 8
Conclusion………………………………………….. 10

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1. Introduction
During recent years there has been increasing awareness of, and concern
about, water
pollution all over the world, and new approaches towards achieving
sustainable
exploitation of water resources have been developed internationally. It is
widely agreed
that a properly developed policy framework is a key element in the
sound management
of water resources. A number of possible elements for such policies
have been identified,
especially during the preparation of Agenda 21 as well as during various
follow up
activities. None the less, everyone is hearing about the liquid ecosystem
going from bad to worse. For example the gulfstream is threatened, the
Greenland icecaps are melting faster than it has been predicted,the last
decade was the warmest of the millennium, the oceans are becoming
warm at an alarming rate and so on and so forth.

The effects of water pollution strongly impact

the balance of nature, which ultimately impacts all humans. With proper
care and consideration, many of the situations that cause water pollution
can be stopped or decreased

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2. Objectives:-
Water quality criteria are developed by scientists and provide basic
scientific information
about the effects of water pollutants on a specific water use .They also
describe water quality requirements for protecting and maintaining an
individual use.
Water quality criteria are based on variables that characterise the quality
of water and/or
the quality of the suspended particulate matter, the bottom sediment and
the biota. Many
water quality criteria set a maximum level for the concentration of a
substance in a
particular medium (i.e. water, sediment or biota) which will not be
harmful when the
specific medium is used continuously for a single, specific purpose. For
some other
water quality variables, such as dissolved oxygen, water quality criteria
are set at the
minimum acceptable concentration to ensure the maintenance of
biological functions.
Most industrial processes pose less demanding requirements on the
quality of
freshwater and therefore criteria are usually developed for raw water in
relation to its use
as a source of water for drinking-water supply, agriculture and
recreation, or as a habitat

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for biological communities. Criteria may also be developed in relation to
the functioning
of aquatic ecosystems in general. The protection and maintenance of
these water uses
usually impose different requirements on water quality and, therefore,
the associated
water quality criteria are often different for each use.
The time has now come to implement
these criterias so that our liquid ecosystem does not get destroyed and is
safe for all living things on mother Earth.

2.1 Present Condition of Dhakuria Lake

Rabindra Sarobar (previously known as Dhakuria Lake) is an artificial
lake in south Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal.

The name also refers to the area surrounding the lake. It is flanked
by Southern Avenue to the North, Rashbehari Avenue(Russa Road) to
the West, Dhakuria to the East and the Kolkata Suburban Railway tracks
to the south.

Like a majority of artificial lakes in the country, Rabindra Sarovar is

suffering environmental degradation. Water pollution is on the rise,
owing to an increase in tourist flow and habitation around the lake.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, has

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recently included this lake under the National Lake Conservation Plan in
the hope that this will help preserve it.

2.2 Survey of Literature

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies
(e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Water pollution
occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water
bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds.

Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of

water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to
individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological
communities. Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is
impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a
human use, such as drinking water, or undergoes a marked shift in its
ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish.
Natural phenomena such as volcanoes,algae blooms, storms, and
earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological
status of water.

3. Area of Study
Location: Dhakuria Lake, Kolkata.

Original Name - Bompass Lake. An artificial lake that was created in the
1920s to provide soil for filling up the low lying areas of Ballygunge

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that were being made habitable by the Calcutta Improvement Trust.
Currently it is the breathing ground for South Calcutta and frequented by
morning walkers. Excellent bio-diversity with a wide range of flora and
fauna. There are a number of rowing clubs namely Bengal Rowing Club,
Lake Club, Calcutta Rowing Club and the National Rowing
Championships are held here. It has very old swimming clubs one being
Indian Life Saving Society (formerly Anderson Club) which holds
annual Water Ballet and Yoga in Water (recently by Vasant Thacker). It
has a Lotus pond and Open Air stadium (Nazrul Manch). It is the largest
water body in the Heart of Calcutta. The other half of the Lake holds a
sports stadium too.
As per my survey regarding this lake, I have taken into consideration
the views of some local peoples and some local dailies. I have surveyed
the lake from East to West,fully along its length looking into every nook
and corner to present this data as accurately as possible. The locals told
me that the lake is getting dirty because of outsiders and tourists who
throw away plastics,cigarette stubs,plastic bottles and bags into the lake.
Though it is not allowed to carry any form of plastic substances inside
the lake premises,but these rules are only for show. If these rules are not
forced into action immediately, the lake will soon perish.

4. Method of Study
Date-5th September 2013
Time-1.15pm
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This project has been conducted by me and 50 of my college mates
under the supervision of our professors. Some photographs and
indivigual accounts have been attached with the project so that the
condition of the lake can be more understandable.

5. Observations:-
Man-made situations are typically the causes of water pollution in the
lake. Often, it’s unintended and unknown that actions are contributing to
water pollution. Many times it’s the last thought on someone’s mind that
their actions could significantly impact the environment locally and
beyond. The water quality of the lake has deteriorated so much so as to
cause some serious disturbances to the bio-diversity of the lake.

5.1 Growth of Water Hyacinth

Eichhornia crassipes, commonly known as (common) water hyacinth, is
an aquatic plant, and is often considered a highly problematic invasive
species outside its native range. One of the fastest growing plants
known, water hyacinth reproduces primarily by way of runners
or stolons, which eventually form daughter plants. Each plant can
produce thousands of seeds each year,which depletes the oxygen level of
the water bodies. They mainly grow out of pollution which causes the
water to become warmer than naturally permitted. The Rabindra Sarobar

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lake is no exception to that. This is resulting in a bleaching of oxygen
which in turn causes harm to fishes and leads to various diseases.

5.2 Cultural Situation

Kolkata is a land of many diversities. People from all religions, stature
of life live together here. Sometimes this also becomes the cause of more
polluted water. Idol immersions during specific festivals has taken its
toll on the lake. Various metallic byproducts from the idols have caused
serious pollution in the waters of the lake. Various other cultural and
religious duties that are performed beside tha lake also pollute its waters .

5.3 Non Degradable Pollutants

The water quality along with the lake environment has degraded much
due to the use non degradable items of plastics and its byproducts such
as bags,bottes,small food containers,polythene packets and various other
items.

5.4 Sociological Situation

People from the lower strata of society are the ones that are found
around the lake premises. They have opened tea stalls and various other
stalls to cater to the needs of the tourists and large number of people
coming here. They also have a hand in adding to the pollution level of
the lake. These people bathe,wash utensils, defeacate and urinate on the
water of the lake making it highly unhigenic and polluted. The
unchecked use of the lake water should be stopped immediately.
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6. Conclusion:-
6.1 Relevance of the Project
This project has been completed by me under the guidance of my
college professors. I have tried to give my all and not to make any
mistakes in this project. I hope this project will provide sufficient
information regarding the Rabindra Sarovar lake, how it came into
existence, its present condition, how its waters are getting polluted and
how its ecosystem is getting deteriorated day by day.

6.2 Recommendations
The Government of India, the state Government and the local municipal
corporation (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) must take the following
measures to protect the lake and its environmental qualities.

1. The lake restoration plans have to be undertaken to resolve the

water quality of the lake as well as in its beautification. Restoration
of the lake could help in the rejuvenation of its ecosystem.
2. Special Purpose Vehicles(SPV’s) for the conservation of the lake
has to be set up to educate and spread awareness among the
common people about the condition and remedies of the water of
the lake. This will lead to better management and availability of
the lake water.
3. While water pollution solutions may seem like too little, too late
when viewed in the light of major oil spills and floating plastic bag
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 islands they are necessary to prevent these problems from growing
worse. Simply slowing down the rate of pollution can give the
environment and scientists time to find long-term solutions to the
very real problems of water pollution. If you do your part to
prevent pollution in your area, then you’ll be helping to protect
aquatic life.

6.3 Whether the Findings Confirm to the Findings In

Present Literature or Not
The Rabindra Sarovar (Dhakuria Lake) has really deteriorated badly and
is in need of dire attention of the common people and of the
Government. The water of the lake is really misfit for use due to the
carelessness and mismanagement of the people. The Government should
take immediate action along with providing funds for the betterment of
the lake. I suggest the Government and the common people to work
hand in hand and stop taking plastic bags and its byproducts and any
form of foods to the lake and throw them in the water. Dustbins should
be put in each and every corner of the lake and people should stop
bathing and washing in the lake.

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