SANJAY VAN LAKE: DELHI’S GREEN PATCH GETS COOLER
The cleaner water is an attraction for humans and birds alike
The filtration is a great idea. It will also benefit birds and encourage more people to come here. JYOTI YADAV, Homemaker
Abreath of fresh air and a moment of calmness from the hustle bustle of the city in lush greenery is what Sanjay Van has been providing to residents of Delhi-NCR for years. But since the recent installation of water filter plants to clean the lake, this green spot located near Qutub Minar, on Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, has become even more popular. And why not, for the 4,000 umbrella grass species on floating rafters are a sight to behold!
“Pani ke andar gamle hain, unme holes hain jisse unhe pani milta hai; mitti khad sab kuch hai. Lake isse saaf rahega aur gandagi nahin faylegi. Bahut faydemand hai yeh sabke liye,” says Rakesh, a guard at the lake, of the new filters at the forest.
On any given day, the place is replete with walkers, joggers, and even those who love to play a game of badminton. And now since the lake has got unique water filters, people are looking forward to their visits. Sarthak Sharma, a student who comes to walk his dog Sherry, tells us, “I have been coming here for years. The installation of plants in the lake is a great idea as it will help reduce pests and mosquitoes; the lake otherwise looked very polluted. The authorities were trying to clean it of late, but with little success.”
Jyoti Yadav, a homemaker from Vasant Kunj, was pleasantly surprised on a trip to this forest. “I’m here with my kids, and the moment they saw the lake, their first reaction was, ‘It isn’t clean’. So, the filtration is a great idea. It will also benefit birds while encouraging more people to come.”
“Migratory birds take shelter at the lake,” says Deepak Singh, a young professional, sharing that the water filters have become an attraction point for the visitors. “Now the water seems fairly clean than earlier, and that’s very good for the environment. The van and lake have become an attraction point for the tourists. This is now, in fact, the new hangout,” adds Singh.
Apurva Srivastava, a Delhibased student, opines, “I’ve been coming here for the past three months. And now the entire place has turned so nice and beautiful! The filtration process is a fab idea, and kudos to those who have taken this initiative. We are now asking our friends also to come and check out the lake!”