Najafgarh Jheel

Why in news?

• The Centre has decided to notify the Najafgarh Jheel, the second largest water body in Delhi-NCR after the Yamuna, as a transboundary wetland for its restoration and rejuvenation, according to a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal.

About Najafgarh Jheel:

• It is located in a natural depression in southwest Delhi, close to the Gurugram-Rajokri border. A portion of the lake falls in Haryana.
• Najafgarh Lake (Najafgarh Marsh or Najafgarh Jheel) is fed by Sahibi River.
• It was connected to the river Yamuna by a natural shallow nullah or drain called the Najafgarh nullah.
• The lake is largely filled with sewage from Gurugram and surrounding villages of Delhi.
• The Flood Control Department of Delhi was continuously widening the drain after 1960s to save the capital from floods. This almost drained the lake completely.

Importance of Lake:

• The presence of 281 bird species, including several threatened ones such as Egyptian vulture, Sarus Crane, Steppe Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle and those migrating along the Central Asian Flyway has been reported at the lake.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following pairs:

Water bodies          : State

1. Najafgarh Jheel      : Gujarat

2. Chandra Taal         : Himachal Pradesh

3. Kanjli Lake             : Punjab

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Answer