# Udaipur Must Protect Its Lakes and Natural Water Channels, Says Former Town Planner Satish Shrimali
*Udaipur:* Former Additional Chief Town Planner of Rajasthan *Satish Shrimali* has called for urgent and coordinated action to protect Udaipur's historic lakes, rivers and natural drainage network, warning that unplanned urbanisation, encroachments and pollution pose a serious threat to the city's ecological balance and tourism-driven economy.
In an interview with Dr. Munesh Arora, Shrimali said Udaipur's centuries-old water conservation system, conceived by the Maharanas of Mewar, remains one of the finest examples of traditional urban planning. The interconnected network of lakes, canals and natural drainage channels was designed to ensure that rainwater was conserved instead of being wasted, while simultaneously meeting the city's drinking water, irrigation and groundwater recharge requirements.
Explaining the system, Shrimali said lakes including Fateh Sagar, Pichola, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar and Goverdhan Sagar were scientifically connected through natural channels and overflow structures. Rainwater collected from surrounding hills and catchments was directed from one reservoir to another, creating a sustainable water management system that supported the city's growth for centuries.
However, he expressed concern that rapid urban expansion, increasing tourism infrastructure, hotels, resorts, farmhouses and illegal constructions have gradually reduced the catchment areas of these lakes, affecting their storage capacity. He said strict protection of lake boundaries and catchment zones is essential if Udaipur is to secure its future water resources.
Shrimali pointed out that although many lake catchment areas have already been notified as No Construction Zones and the Rajasthan High Court has repeatedly directed authorities to prevent encroachments, illegal filling of lake beds and unauthorised development continue in several locations.
He also stressed the importance of protecting Udaipur's smaller ponds and water bodies, recalling that after the devastating floods of 2006, surveys identified nearly 42 to 45 ponds that function as natural rainwater storage systems and flood buffers. Preserving these water bodies, he said, is equally important for maintaining groundwater levels and preventing urban flooding.
The former town planner criticised the discharge of untreated sewage into lakes and the Aayad River, saying pollution has significantly degraded the city's natural ecosystem. He called for comprehensive sewer management, regular monitoring of sewer lines and diversion of wastewater away from lakes to preserve water quality.
Drawing on his international experience, Shrimali said cities such as Paris and Copenhagen have successfully protected their rivers through disciplined urban planning, efficient solid waste management and strict environmental enforcement. He said Udaipur could adopt similar planning principles while preserving its unique heritage.
Speaking about the Aayad River, Shrimali revealed that during his tenure, a detailed 26-kilometre riverfront planning proposal was prepared, extending from Thur to Udai Sagar. The plan included mapping the river's original alignment, identifying government land, recording encroachments, integrating the road network and proposing long-term river conservation measures.
He noted that the project was initiated under the *Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), which has since been restructured as the **Udaipur Development Authority (UDA)*. Shrimali said the detailed planning work and official records remain valuable and could still be utilised by the UDA to restore the river corridor and remove encroachments wherever legally permissible.
"The groundwork has already been completed. What is needed now is administrative continuity and the political will to implement the plan," he said.
Concluding the discussion, Shrimali emphasised that conserving Udaipur's lakes, rivers and natural drainage channels is not merely an environmental responsibility but also an economic necessity. Protecting these water bodies, he said, is essential for sustaining tourism, ensuring water security, maintaining groundwater levels and preserving the city's identity as the "City of Lakes" for future generations.
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