Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka has urged the Union Government to include the Jagannath Sagar (lake) of Jeypore in Koraput district in the National Lake Conservation Plan (NCLP) and declare it as a national lake.
Raising the issue in the Parliament during the Zero Hour, Ulaka said the Jagannath Sagar having a minimum depth of three meters spread over more than 10 hectares and having very little aquatic vegetation is considered as a lake. Again it fulfills the criteria as it is located entirely within city limits (Census Town), which is a 5th scheduled area, and surrounded by recreation facilities (parks, playgrounds). But it is predominantly affected by urban human population.
While the NLCP aims to restore and conserve the urban and semi-urban lakes of the country degraded due to waste water discharge into the lake and other unique freshwater eco systems, the Jagannath Sagar fulfill all criteria to become a national-level lake.
Notably, the Human Rights Commission acting on a petition filed by lawyer Anup Kumar Patro has directed the district Collector, Koraput to take appropriate action for inclusion of the lake in the NLCP within eight weeks.
Keshav Sadangi, a youth wildlife lover, said that the Jagarnath Sagar dug in 17th Century by Jeypor King Ramachandra Dev (2nd) is a naturally-filled lake. The King named the lake after Diwan Jagarnath Patro.
Primarily, the lake was dug in 300 acres of land. However, the area of the lake has shrunk to 157 acres due to negligence of the local administration and the State Government