NATURE CLUB SURAT

Environment Education & Research centre

 Forthcoming Activities

Nature Education Camp - Dangs 2010

Himalayan Experience camp Manali 2011

Opportunities @ Nature Club Surat

Call of Indian Birds Vol-1,2,3 & 4

Video Guide to Birds of India Vol- 1 & 2

Book on "Amphibians of Gujarat"

WETLAND PROTECTION PROJECT

Gavier Lake is situated about 7 km from the buzzing city of Surat in Gavier village, the source of water for nearly 7 villages around it. As it is very near to city and the surrounding areas are developing in to housing colonies this lake has become very important to environmentalists and civic authorities. Once belong to the village, the lake is now under the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board. Till 1990 the wetland housed many migratory and residential water birds. The surrounding areas of the lake had private farms so that birds could take extra advantage. But now most of them have become housing colonies so the birds have only the limited place surrounding the lake. Sources of water to lake are by rain and through a canal from Kakrapar dam. The lake is of one kilometer in circumference.

About 14 years back Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board wanted to dig up the lake so that more water be stored in the lake. Nature Club Surat went to the court and put up a stay on the project. The case resolved on the out of court settlement. The Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board made arrangement for the plants to be planted in the near by lake and the lake was dug a bit to accommodate more water. But as the nature has its own way, the lake collected more sediments in the course of years, making it again a wetland so now there are two lakes one belong to the village and one belong to Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board.

Members of Nature Club Surat are constant visitors to this place. The lake is being counted for Asian Water Fowl Census for last 18 years. It was noticed that the number of Migratory and resident birds were on a decline year after year. The last 3 years were the worst. So we thought of doing some thing for the lake. Fund was a great problem. After the help from few supporters, plans were made to fence the lake with chain link to a height of 6 ft and then plant trees like Banyan, Peepal, Umro, Coral etc, which will attract birds and butterflies. Necessary permissions were obtained from the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board and the village panchayat. 

Clearing the periphery started in the month of March 2004. The place was covered with thorny shrubs and trees (mostly gando baval). The fencing work was over by May. On 5^th June 2004 ‘World environment day’ tree plantation was started. The lake has on an average 20 ft of land between the waterfront and the fence. Volunteers of Nature Club Surat visit the lake each Sunday to plant trees and water them. So far 750 trees have grown more than 10 ft height. A full time watchman is employed to prevent the fencing being robbed and to keep the fisherman and bird trappers out. We have also built a ‘Moorhen Wetland Interpretation Center’ over there. We sincerely thank Tanti and Mr. Rajen Shah family for supporting this project. 

The result of the work started showing in the same months itself. Birds and butterflies made their presents felt. Month of September we check listed 74 different birds against 38 last year. Recently in March 2010 we have observed Darter at Gavier lake and this the first record at this lake. Nesting birds increased many folds from nearly nil last year. We have spotted the nests of Baya, Streaked weaver bird, Paradise Flycatcher, Plain Wren Warbler, Bronze-winged Jacana, Purple moorhen, Purple Heron, Red-vented bulbul, Red Munia, White-throated Munia, Golden Oriole, Black Drongo. All the nests were successful and the fledging flown away in the right time, making the Nature Club Surat members proud for their work.

We have started one day eco camp for school children through which almost every day a batch of 50 students come to this lake where we teach them about aquatic life.

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Last modified: August 07, 2010