Ramgarh Taal: A Struggle for Existence

Ramgarh Taal is the heritage and beauty mark of the city Gorakhpur. This lake is a boon for the city and its citizens. It covers approx. 723 hectares of area. At present the embankment of this lake is about 18 km long which is really unique in its nature.

Ramgarh tall has its own specific ecosystem and people adjacent to its are closely related. It is an important means of livelihood for the people of adjacent village around the lake. But this natural lake is going to be demolish in the pace of global development through the construction of concrete buildings. In the recent period (from 1980s) due to government’s indifference attitude and heavy garbage dumping and encroachment of people along the tall has deteriorated not only its water quality but also its morphology too. Researches indicate that every year 5 cm of sediment are being deposited on the bed of the taal. Now due to rising level of eutrophication, the level of biodiversity of the taal is also gradually declining    

Being realized its social responsibility Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group has step forwarded to protect and monitor the taal from further deterioration. GEAG form a core group on the issue including the Professors, Doctors, Journalists, etc. From last 2 years this core group has been thinking on the issue of the conservation of this taal, doing academic researches to know the actual condition of the taal, doing advocacy with the administration, media advocacy and other activities which can help to conserve this natural asset.  

But the things went beyond the control when on 6th of June about 1500 fish got died due to the deficiency of oxygen in lake water. Then GEAG decides to save Raamgarh Taal at any cost and also realized that it is not only possible alone by the organization or with handful of intellectuals.  Then GEAG move forward to unite the people of the Gorakhpur and formed a forum- Raam garh Taal Sanrakshan Nagrik Manch, where citizens can come forward and raise their voice to build pressure on administration and create general awareness for the lake conservation. Media supported this campaign in a very positive manner and helped to intensify the issue in very less time.

GEAG, facilitates the processes to bring people together, for this many meetings organized with different clubs like rotary club, lions club, inner club, etc.  people’s organizations like Indian Medical Association , Vyapar Mandal, Machuara Community, etc. Also handbills got distributed, holdings put at various locations of city, street plays, puppet shows, exhibitions were done to sensitized and mobilize the community. It was tough but community come together for the issue and finally on 5th of June on the day of World Environment Day members of this manch decided to come for a procession which ends with the cleaning of this taal.  

This is the first time in Gorakhpur when people united and come together to and fight to conserve the lake. It is expected that a big number of the citizens (about 500-600) jointly come for the procession and create pressure on the administration. We hope that it will bring good and remarkable results.