Situated 80 km south-west of Jaipur in east-central Rajasthan, Sambhar Salt Lake, the country’s largest inland saline water body, is facing a significant threat due to declining soil and water quality. Recent studies also highlight a fall in the population of migratory birds and a continuous shrinkage of the lake’s size.
Location and Characteristics of Sambhar Lake
Encompassed within the depression of the Aravalli Range, Sambhar Lake is well-known for its production of brine/salt. This lake houses one of the largest salt manufacturing units in India, an aspect critical for thousands of migratory birds that visit annually. Declared a wetland of ‘international importance’ under the Ramsar Convention in 1990, this saline water body receives water from six rivers: Samaod, Khari, Mantha, Khandela, Medtha, and Roopangarh.
Vegetation and Fauna of Sambhar Lake
The catchment area of the lake primarily sees xerophytic vegetation, which includes plants adapted for growth under arid conditions. As for fauna, flamingoes, pelicans, and waterfowls are commonly sighted in abundance. Other nearby tourist attractions include the Shakambari Devi temple and the Sambhar Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Degradation of Sambhar Lake
Sambhar Lake has been steadily losing its area, with mining activities and illegal salt pan encroachments accounting for almost 30% of the loss. This degradation poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of local communities, who have lived harmoniously with the lake and its ecology. The Aravalli hills, which play a crucial role as a natural barrier limiting the salt from spreading into other fertile regions, have also decreased by 0.1% compared to their expanse in 1971. This decline could potentially force the people to migrate if it continues unchecked.
The Impact on Migratory Birds
With the reduction in wetland area and increased vegetation cover, there’s a consequent shortage of red algae, the primary food source for migratory birds. This shortage led to the death of over 20,000 birds, spanning about 10 species, in 2019 due to avian botulism.
Steps Towards Restoration
The State Government of Rajasthan has initiated several measures to address this issue. Some steps include identifying new tourist points at Sambhar Salt Lake, which forms part of the desert circuit in the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Plans are underway to establish additional destinations around the lake, such as a salt museum, caravan park, bicycle track, and gardens.
In an effort to revive traditional practices, the government also plans to restart the ‘salt train’ that used to transport salt from the pans to nearby refineries.
Conservation Measures
Illegal salt production is set to be stopped by enforcing actions against unauthorized borewells and pipelines in the region. Encroachments on the land will be removed with police assistance to save the area. To serve the migratory birds, the government decided in 2020 to build temporary shelters near the Lake.
Future Directions
For effective conservation of Sambhar Lake, there is a need for forming a dedicated Sambhar Lake Development Authority involving experts from multiple agencies. Proper coordination among the administration of three districts – Jaipur, Ajmer, and Nagaur, can further boost the planned conservation efforts.