Rabindra Sarovar - The Lungs of South Kolkata

During early excavation, the CIT unearthed historic cannons, believed by some to have belonged to the Nawab of Murshidabad and used during the 1756 siege of Calcutta. Yet, others believe that these cannons might have been found elsewhere and were brought to the Rabindra Sarobar as part of added ‘ornamentation’ (WBPCB, 2017).

Rabindra Sarobar comprises a total of five waterbodies, of which two large waterbodies constitute the main lake with the eastern one being the largest. Their average depth is about 4.0 metres, with some deeper pockets (JU report, 2007). A fenced off lotus pond lies to the north, while the two water bodies are used for swimming. The lakes have quite a few islands and most of these are undisturbed eco-habitats. Hosting a variety of tree species, the Rabindra Sarobar is a paradise for nature lovers. 

Today, the Rabindra Sarobar is a recreational hub with a multitude of social clubs engaged in the sports, rowing, and swimming. A cricket academy with practice grounds, a safari park with a children’s play area, and a laughter club have also been established. While walkers and runners are a regular sight in the mornings, several choose to take a stroll or sit quietly by the lakeside. Given its rich diversity of trees, birdwatching and bird photography have also emerged as popular hobbies and the park has achieved a strong social media presence. 

Rabindra Sarobar is the much-needed green breathing space amidst the dense concrete jungle, a cool pocket on a ‘heat island’. The aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem services and the environmental benefits that are derived from Rabindra Sarobar are immense and innumerable. A treasure trove of urban biodiversity, it reestablishes a connection with nature and induces biophilia (what’s this mean?) and mental wellbeing.

Recognizing the ecological and environmental significance of the lake, the National Lake Conservation Programme of the Government of India declared Rabindra Sarobar a National Lake in 2003, the first lake in West Bengal to receive this status. 

Rabindra Sarobar has endured much over its history. It has seen encroachments, land and water pollution, legal battles fought by environmental activists for a pollution-free habitat, and in 2006 (something missing here, a legal case or..?) finally ensuring the Sarobar become a squatter-free site.

In 2007, a multi-disciplinary team of experts from Jadavpur University conducted a study of Rabindra Sarobar at the behest of the Kolkata Improvement Trust (KIT) and prepared a Comprehensive Rejuvenation Plan (CRJP) for the lake and its adjoining park. An overall assessment of land use, water, landscape, and environmental challenges was carried out based on which a phase-wise landscape development roadmap and guidelines were prepared. With a central theme revolving around Tagore’s philosphy, the CRJP aimed to address the spatio-physical, socio-cultural, ecological, environmental, and economic challenges with its innovative three-tiered concept including the proposition of ‘Fee-zone and Free-zone’ for better management.

A decade later, in 2017, an Environmental Impact Assessment study was carried out by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) on a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order. This study (WBPCB, 2017) reported a total of 366 species of terrestrial vascular plants, identified from Rabindra Sarobar and its premises. This included 162 trees—eight lianas, 14 climbers, 46 shrubs and 136 herbs. The 366 species were distributed under 277 genera and 43 families.

This is a marked improvement from the 2010 study reported in the same document, as a total of 152 species of vascular terrestrial plants of 73 tree species, 2 lianas, 4 climbers, 7 shrubs and 66 herb species, under 127 genera and 53 families.

Besides trees, the study has also recorded 57 butterfly species, 107 bird species (69 resident, 23 long-distant migrant, 14 local, 52 migrant, and one summer visitor), and 40 freshwater fish species. These are important bio-diversity indicators and show that the rejuvenation plan has been working well.