New Delhi: The highly encroached and dying Tikri Khurd Lake at Narela will be rejuvenated, restored and developed as the city’s first meadow park by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).The decision was taken after lieutenant governor VK Saxena visited the site in north Delhi on Feb 17 and expressed concern over the deteriorating waterbody that once sustained a vibrant ecosystem. Officials have been asked to prepare a restoration plan at the earliest, on the lines of the previously developed Baansera and Asita parks over degraded landscapes.
Officials said the waterbody, previously an oxbow lake on the Yamuna floodplain, was also receiving untreated sewage from neighbouring residential localities, giving an unpleasant look to the area.The preliminary plan is to revive the 40-acre lake by removing encroachments and water hyacinth, and developing an open grassy patch across 10 acres of surrounding land. This will be followed by the creation of a heavily wooded area with around 10,000 trees, including bamboo.A walkway will be developed covering 20 acres surrounding the lake. The 2.5-metre-wide pathway will serve as both a walking and cycling track. “The work on cleaning the approach roads has already started and tenders for construction of a boundary wall around the complex have been issued,” DDA stated.The lake and its surrounding landscape, spread over around 72 acres, fall within sectors 8-1 to 8-3 of Narela sub-city. Officials said that while the revival would be the priority, attracting visitors would also be important, given the strategic location. “The project plan focuses on ecological restoration, landscape regeneration and creation of nature-based public spaces while strengthening the hydrological and environmental performance of the site,” said an official.The meadow park will feature expansive native grasslands and dense peripheral plantations that will act as ecological buffers. The design will ensure that rainwater gradually flows towards the central depression, which will be restored and strengthened as the primary water retention basin. Existing site contours will be utilised and enhanced to facilitate natural surface run-off throughout the year.For public spaces, shaded seating areas will be developed beneath native tree canopies. An eco-sensitive restaurant structure, designed using sustainable and lightweight materials, is proposed at a vantage point overlooking the lake. The structure will be visually connected to a stepped access leading towards the waterbody, creating a strong visual and spatial interface between land and water.Excavated earth generated during the deepening and restoration will be reused on-site to create landscaped mounds and berms, which will help screen undesirable views from adjoining developments and also function as visual buffers and wind barriers.To enhance visitors’ engagement with the natural environment, elevated machaans, or nature-viewing decks, are proposed at selected locations for observing the restored lake ecosystem, bird activities and surrounding meadow habitat without disturbing sensitive ecological zones.A small meeting or conference facility, along with two-three eco-cottages, is also proposed along the quieter edge of the lake. These will be designed as low-impact structures overlooking the waterbody and can be used for nature retreats, small gatherings and environmental education activities.Decentralised sewage treatment plants will also be built to treat wastewater from surrounding areas and ensure that the lake retains water throughout the year. A plant nursery will be developed within the landscape to support plantation needs and promote native species.Although National Green Tribunal earlier directed authorities to restore the lake, the project remained stalled due to a disagreement between DDA and the state wetland authority.
