Bhubaneswar, Feb. 3: The forest department has decided to revive the Kanjia lake, one of the main sources of freshwater for Nadankanan zoo, at an estimated cost of Rs 44 lakh. Chilika Development Authority will carry out the restoration.

Zoo director Sisir Kumar Acharya said the state government had already sanctioned money for the purpose. "The bed of the lake would be dredged as the water level has decreased significantly due to weeds and sedimentation. The work will start shortly," said Acharya.

Kanjia lake is spread over an area of 105 hectares. However, the main lake is situated on an area of 75 hectares. A road, which gets flooded every monsoon, divided the lake, which is home to 20 species of reptiles, 46 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians and three species of prawns.

The Union ministry of environment and forests had declared the lake a "Wetland of National Importance" in 2006. Apart from being the main source of water for the zoo, the lake is also used for boating. Ropeway, another major attraction for visitors to Nandankanan, also passes over the lake.

Additional chief executive of the Chilika Development Authority Sasmita Lenka said that an excavator would be brought from Satapada for the purpose. "The excavator can reach up to two to three meters depth in water to remove weeds from the lake. The clearing of weeds is likely to be completed within two months' time," said Lenka.

The lake also serves as a source of freshwater for the botanic garden, which is also a major tourist destination. But rapid urbanisation in the area has taken a toll on the inlets and outlets of the lake. Sources in the zoo said the lake was facing a threat as a number of constructions had come up on the small drain built to facilitate passage of water.

"Dumping of solid waste along the water channel and quarrying in the area has posed a threat to the lake. The lake used to be full of water a decade ago, but rapid construction in the area has chocked its inlets. Along with restoring the lake, the authorities should also demolish the encroachments that have chocked the water source to the lake," said environmentalist Bijay Mishra.