Analysis of sustainability of Surajkund Lake and determination of hydrodynamics of Delhi ridge with special reference to urbanization impact assessment

The Delhi Ridge is considered to be a water divide between arid climate of Rajasthan and semi-arid to sub-tropical climate of Indo-Gangetic Plains. Also the Delhi Ridge is the main carrier of surface runoff. But due to urbanization, the Delhi Ridge has lost its peripheral runoff, and as a result the water bodies fed by Delhi Ridge are suffering and are losing their identity.

There is an utmost need for the revitalization of these water bodies which is important not only from the microclimatic point of view but also is an essential tool for the replenishment of the ground water resources. The ground water resources with the pace of deterioration of water bodies on one hand and excessive abstraction on the other hand, are getting depleted fastly and has acquired a continuous declining trend. The minimum declining of the water table is in the range of 2.5–3.5 m per year and the maximum of 6.5–7 m per year which clearly indicates need for revitalization of water bodies.

There are number of water bodies in NCR which has saturated within the premises of Delhi Ridge runoff. The present study deals with the Surajkund Lake which was originally occupied by 137.07 acres has been shrunk to 40.51 acres which is 29% of its original volume. This is because of unplanned urbanization impact. The present study deals with the analysis of revitalization of Surajkund Lake using innovative technique such as Geographical Information System (GIS) for design of watershed and catchment to acquire the requisite amount of runoff for the proper replenishment of Surajkund Lake. This study will be the modal example of revitalization of the water bodies in order to improve the geo environment in general and water resources in particular. Apart from this there are many other ideas which may be used for planners, architects, scientists, administrative officers working in this direction.