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| The Padmatola tank at Nilgiri |
Balasore, June 6: The state wetlands development authority will renovate the Padmatola tank, a vast natural water body which has been lying in a shambles due to lack of maintenance and care for years, at Nilgiri.
The tank was once known for being the favourite destination of royal families of the erstwhile princely state of Nilgiri, but later it became an abandoned site bearing the brunt of apathy of successive governments. The lake, which was originally spread about 100 acres and now left with about only 41.26 acres, is situated at Kansa near Ayodhya under Nilgiri block.
The left out portion of the land falls under four mouzas namely Nimpal, Narsinghpur, Duragpur and Birsahpur.
After its renovation, the lake could provide boating facilities and help extend the irrigation facilities. Divisional forest officer of Balasore Harshbardhan Udgata said: “The lake has been considered for conservation and protection under the state wetlands development authority along with four other water bodies in the state — Ansupa, Kanjia, Kunaria and Deras.”
“The preparation of management action plan for Padmatola is under way. North Odisha University’s lecturer of wildlife and biodiversity conservation department R.K. Mishra and zoology department head H.K. Sahu have been assigned the task to draft a report after which funds will be released,” Udgata said.
Honorary wildlife warden of Balasore Jayant Mardraj Harichandan said: “A lot of correspondences were made with various departments, including the tourism, panchayati raj and the forest ones to revive the tank, but no response was found. Finally, the forest department has agreed to take up the lake under the renovation programme of the state wetlands development authority.”
Various avian species used to flock the place round the year. “Without care and maintenance mainly in the want of de-silting and clearing the channel link between the water body and the Sunei river, the lake starved for fresh water,” he said.
Squatters have encroached upon portions of the water body, which is under the revenue department. Birds still gather at the lake during winter, and in the last waterfowl census in December 2013, experts noticed here more than 200 birds, including Indian Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret and Asian Openbill.
Local people say the lake’s revival could lead it to become a major eco-tourism spot and another venue of attraction for tourists, who visit Remuna for Khirachora Gopinath temple and Nilgiri for Panchalingeswar.