Origins and Legacy of Lake Pichola — Udaipur’s Shimmering Soul
Nestled in the heart of the city of Udaipur, Lake Pichola is one of the most iconic and picturesque freshwater lakes in Rajasthan, India. The lake spans approximately 6.96 square kilometers and is fed by rainfall, a network of tributaries, and adjoining lakes like Fateh Sagar.
Dotted with historical structures like the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir, Lake Pichola has long served as a cultural nucleus for the people of Udaipur. It provides not only scenic beauty but also plays a vital role in sustaining the city’s tourism-based economy and traditional livelihoods such as fishing and boat-making.
However, the lake is under growing threat from uncontrolled urban expansion, tourism pressures, and environmental degradation. The heavy load of wastewater and solid waste entering the lake has turned this once-pristine water body into a repository of pollution and ecological stress.
What was once a sustainable freshwater resource is now suffering from symptoms of neglect, reflecting the broader environmental crisis confronting rapidly urbanizing Indian cities.
Lake Pichola’s current condition is a mirror to the ecological health of Udaipur. Its revival is not just a matter of water management but of restoring the city’s balance with nature, culture, and sustainability.
Through Earth5R’s BlueCities model, efforts are now being made to reimagine urban lakes like Pichola as drivers of climate resilience, community well-being, and green jobs.
Key Problems Facing Lake Pichola — Data-Backed Environmental Decline
Sewage and Wastewater Pollution
A major contributor to the degradation of Lake Pichola is the discharge of untreated sewage directly into its waters.
According to a report by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), nearly 80% of Udaipur’s wastewater flows into the lake system without undergoing adequate treatment. As a result, Lake Pichola exhibits high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and elevated fecal coliform levels, both indicators of severe organic and bacterial pollution.
Although Udaipur has multiple Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), many are outdated, poorly maintained, or function well below capacity. Rapid urban expansion, unregulated construction, and increased migration have added informal sewage connections that bypass official drainage networks, releasing waste directly into stormwater drains which eventually empty into the lake.
Solid Waste Dumping
In addition to sewage, solid waste pollution has become a chronic threat. Plastic bottles, food wrappers, construction debris, and floral offerings are routinely dumped into the lake—particularly during festivals and tourism surges. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 are rarely enforced, and illegal dumping persists along several lakefront zones.
Despite the efforts of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, on-ground waste segregation and door-to-door collection remain poorly implemented in Udaipur. NGOs and citizen groups like Earth5R have installed floating waste barriers to mitigate the impact, but without an integrated solid waste management strategy, these efforts are often temporary fixes rather than lasting solutions.
Water Quality Degradation
The deteriorating water quality of Lake Pichola is a red flag for Udaipur’s ecological and public health. Water sampling has revealed the presence of toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury—a result of both urban runoff and industrial discharge.
In addition, eutrophication due to excess nutrient loading has led to algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen, and a strong foul odour, rendering large parts of the lake unsuitable for aquatic life.
As per the 2022 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, Lake Pichola was categorized under “Class D”, meaning its water is fit only for the propagation of wildlife and fisheries, not for human consumption, bathing, or recreation.
This classification underscores the lake’s critical level of degradation and calls for urgent, science-based restoration led by both governmental agencies and local communities.
Loss of Biodiversity
Lake Pichola was once a thriving habitat for diverse aquatic species, including indigenous fish, migratory birds, and a variety of freshwater flora. However, rapid urban encroachment and increasing pollution have led to a significant decline in biodiversity.
According to a local university study, there has been a 40% decrease in fish populations, primarily due to contaminated water and blocked spawning grounds caused by siltation and waste inflow.
Several species of birds, especially the Indian Cormorant and Painted Stork, have also seen a decline. This is largely attributed to the reduction in feeding areas and the escalation of noise pollution from boating and increased tourist activity.
Conservationists warn that these disruptions are collapsing the natural food web of the lake, making the ecosystem more fragile and less resilient to external shocks.
Riverbank Encroachment
The scenic banks of Lake Pichola have experienced a growing wave of encroachments by commercial establishments such as luxury hotels, cafes, and unauthorized housing. An estimated 20% of the lake’s original riparian buffer zones have been lost to real estate development and unregulated construction activities.
These buffer zones once played a critical role in natural filtration and floodwater absorption, helping maintain the ecological balance of the lake.
The loss of these natural barriers has also led to the exclusion of local communities from interacting with the lakefront. Residents who once had access for cultural, religious, and domestic purposes now find the shores blocked by private ventures.
A recent urban planning survey reveals that construction norms are frequently violated, with enforcement mechanisms either weak or nonexistent, exacerbating the degradation of the lake ecosystem.
Groundwater Contamination
One of the more alarming developments is the contamination of groundwater due to pollutants seeping from Lake Pichola into adjacent aquifers. In a 2021 report, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) found elevated levels of nitrates and coliform bacteria in groundwater samples collected from wells near the lake.
This poses a severe health risk to thousands of Udaipur residents who rely on hand pumps and borewells for daily water needs.
Households have reported foul odors, discoloration, and an oily texture in groundwater used for drinking and cooking. The presence of coliform bacteria indicates fecal contamination, which can lead to gastrointestinal diseases and long-term health effects.
This issue compounds the city’s existing water security challenges, especially during summers and drought-like conditions, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change and over-extraction.
Consequences of Lake Neglect
Public Health Risks
The deteriorating condition of Lake Pichola has led to alarming health risks for residents of Udaipur. Due to the presence of pathogens in untreated sewage discharged into the lake, locals are increasingly vulnerable to waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. Seasonal monsoon overflow often spreads contaminants to nearby living areas, exacerbating the issue.
Furthermore, studies have linked high bacterial loads in urban lakes with respiratory illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly.
Communities residing near the lake or using its water for daily needs face disproportionate exposure, leading to chronic health complications and rising healthcare costs.
Increased Urban Flooding
The lake’s shrinking catchment area and encroached drainage channels have significantly contributed to urban flooding in Udaipur. When heavy rains fall, the natural water pathways are unable to absorb runoff efficiently, resulting in widespread waterlogging in adjacent areas.
Lake Pichola was once part of a natural stormwater management system, but illegal constructions along its banks have obstructed this role.
Recent floods in low-lying colonies have drawn attention to the need for immediate ecological restoration and sustainable urban planning.
Economic Losses
Tourism—Udaipur’s economic lifeline—has suffered due to the visible degradation of Lake Pichola. Tour operators and hotel businesses report losses as tourist satisfaction declines when confronted with foul-smelling water and polluted surroundings.
Water pollution also affects fisheries and local livelihoods dependent on boating and recreational services. These economic pressures compound the vulnerability of informal workers, many of whom depend on the lake’s health for daily sustenance.
Social Inequality
Environmental degradation rarely impacts all citizens equally. Slum communities on the periphery of Lake Pichola are disproportionately exposed to polluted runoff, poor sanitation, and degraded water quality. These families often lack access to clean water and have limited avenues for recourse.
In contrast, gated communities and commercial establishments around the lake have better infrastructure and influence over local governance, reflecting how environmental injustice plays out in urban settings. Addressing this inequity is crucial to any inclusive sustainability plan.
Why Past Efforts Have Failed
Fragmented Responsibilities
One of the biggest impediments to the rejuvenation of Lake Pichola has been the fragmented governance structure. Different departments—tourism, irrigation, municipal corporations, and pollution control boards—operate in silos with no integrated action plan. This bureaucratic fragmentation has led to overlapping projects, conflicting priorities, and inefficiencies in execution.
For example, the Udaipur Municipal Corporation has undertaken beautification projects that focus more on aesthetics than ecological health. This disjointed planning results in short-lived improvements, leaving deeper systemic issues unresolved.
Focus on Beautification Over Ecological Restoration
Recent initiatives for Lake Pichola have heavily focused on beautification efforts, including landscaping, aesthetic lighting, and promenade development. While such projects may boost tourism appeal and create visual charm, they often sidestep the core environmental challenges plaguing the lake—namely, untreated sewage inflow, encroachment, and the loss of biodiversity.
True ecological restoration requires reintroducing native aquatic flora and fauna, reviving wetlands, and improving dissolved oxygen levels essential for aquatic life.
Unfortunately, such science-backed interventions receive minimal attention. Without a comprehensive and sustainable rehabilitation model, many beautification projects end up as superficial solutions, offering temporary benefits rather than long-term ecological health.
Absence of Real-Time Monitoring
One of the most critical gaps in Lake Pichola’s conservation strategy is the lack of transparent, real-time environmental monitoring. Currently, the city does not employ IoT-based sensors or digital dashboards to track essential water quality parameters like pH levels, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), turbidity, or microbial contamination.
This absence of real-time data hinders informed policymaking and delays mitigation responses.
Furthermore, the lack of transparency in data sharing restricts community engagement and undermines public trust. In contrast, Earth5R’s Mumbai River Cleanup project has successfully piloted real-time monitoring tools that have not only improved water quality management but also enhanced citizen participation through accessible data platforms. Implementing similar tools in Udaipur could usher in a new era of accountability and evidence-based conservation.
Lack of Community Engagement
Efforts to revive Lake Pichola have often overlooked citizen participation. Local communities—particularly youth and informal workers—have not been included in training, riverkeeping programs, or stakeholder consultations.
Without creating a sense of ownership, most cleanup initiatives fail to gain traction after initial implementation. Long-term transformation demands sustained community engagement, both as custodians and beneficiaries of lake revival.
What Needs to Be Done: The Blueprint for Complete Lake Restoration
Lake Pichola’s revival calls for an integrated, multi-pronged strategy that ensures ecological, social, and economic sustainability. A systematic blueprint is necessary to restore the lake to its natural glory and maintain it for generations to come.
This infographic illustrates the interconnected network of lakes and rivers surrounding Lake Pichola in Udaipur, highlighting its hydrological links with major water bodies like Fateh Sagar Lake and Roop Sagar Lake. It emphasizes the critical role of watershed connectivity in designing a sustainable restoration blueprint under Earth5R’s BlueCities Model.
Zero Untreated Sewage
One of the primary actions is ensuring that no untreated sewage is discharged into Lake Pichola. Despite Udaipur’s reliance on the lake for drinking water and tourism, untreated domestic and commercial sewage still finds its way into the lake, severely compromising water quality.
The city needs to invest in advanced sewage treatment infrastructure, including the expansion and upgrade of STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) with tertiary treatment technologies. Properly functioning interception and diversion mechanisms can prevent sewage from entering stormwater drains and ultimately the lake.
Real-time monitoring through smart water quality sensors must be introduced to ensure compliance and transparency.
Solid Waste to Circular Economy
Solid waste, especially plastic packaging and religious offerings, is a major pollutant in Lake Pichola. Community-based waste segregation combined with Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) at decentralized levels could aid in building a circular economy around waste.
Earth5R has implemented such circular waste management solutions in Mumbai that can be adapted to Udaipur. Local NGOs and municipal bodies should collaborate to train households and shopkeepers on composting and recycling.
A well-structured reward system for residents and businesses that adopt sustainable practices could incentivize compliance and strengthen local participation.
Ecological Restoration
Restoring the lake’s ecology requires reintroducing native plant species along the banks and conserving the wetland patches around the lake that serve as natural biofilters. Udaipur should also invest in creating biodiversity corridors that connect the lake with nearby forest ecosystems to boost aquatic and avian biodiversity.
Earth5R’s model of science-based ecological restoration emphasizes balancing urban planning with natural regeneration and can serve as a model for Lake Pichola’s future.
Community Ownership Models
Without active citizen participation, any environmental initiative remains incomplete. Community-led lake stewardship, or “Lake Keeper Programs,” modeled after Riverkeeper projects globally, can create a sense of local responsibility.
Earth5R’s community-first framework involving citizen science initiatives and environmental training workshops should be replicated in Udaipur.
Schools and colleges can participate through cleanup drives, water testing, and biodiversity mapping. These programs also serve as platforms for building green jobs for youth, linking sustainability with employment.
Transparent Real-Time Data Monitoring
To foster trust and engagement, it’s critical to build an open data ecosystem for Lake Pichola. The integration of IoT-based water quality sensors can continuously monitor key indicators such as BOD, DO, and pH levels.
A publicly accessible dashboard similar to Bangalore’s Lake Monitoring App can increase transparency and accountability. The Udaipur Municipal Corporation can collaborate with universities and environmental NGOs to validate the data and analyze trends for public awareness and policymaking.
Earth5R BlueCities: The Proven, Scalable Solution
The restoration of Lake Pichola requires more than sporadic cleanups—it calls for a systematic, expert-led approach rooted in science, community participation, and sustainability.
The BlueCities Model by Earth5R offers just that: a tested and scalable framework for urban waterbody rejuvenation that has already delivered measurable impact across Indian cities.
Science-Backed River Health Diagnostics
At the core of Earth5R’s strategy is its River and Lake Health Diagnostic methodology. This scientific approach can be adapted to Lake Pichola to assess ecological stressors, map pollution hotspots, and guide targeted interventions.
Rather than relying on cosmetic beautification, this method ensures evidence-based restoration that addresses root causes of degradation, including sewage inflow, biodiversity loss, and encroachment.
Community-Driven Sustainability Practices
Grassroots mobilization is a hallmark of Earth5R’s model. By training local communities in livelihood-linked sustainability practices—such as composting, upcycling, urban farming, and solid waste management—Earth5R fosters continuous local involvement.
This approach creates ripple effects of change, turning residents into long-term environmental stewards. Case studies from Earth5R’s Thane hub reveal how empowered communities can transform their ecosystems and surroundings.
CSR-ESG Partnerships for Scalable Impact
Partnerships with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) divisions and alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mandates have been central to Earth5R’s success.
Programs such as corporate-sponsored lake restorations, employee-led river cleanups, and eco-volunteering drives have created replicable public-private models. These initiatives not only align with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also contribute to long-term urban resilience.
Examples like the Navi Mumbai Mangrove and Wetland Cleanup demonstrate how corporate funds, when responsibly channeled, can lead to tangible environmental transformation while fostering a culture of sustainability within business ecosystems.
Technology-Enabled Environmental Governance
Technological innovation is embedded in Earth5R’s environmental mission. Tools such as AI-enabled pollution tracking platforms, mobile apps for citizen science, and real-time environmental monitoring ensure that data drives action.
These digital solutions make restoration transparent, participatory, and accountable, drawing inspiration from successful smart-monitoring frameworks used in programs like the National Mission for Clean Ganga.
For Lake Pichola, such tools could track BOD, coliform bacteria, surface runoff, and public participation levels, enabling adaptive governance and policy responsiveness.
A Unified Model for Transformative Change
In the context of Udaipur, Earth5R serves as a vital integrator—bringing together local authorities, citizen efforts, and private sector funding. Their experience in reviving urban waterbodies shows that sustainable change is achievable when interventions are well-structured, inclusive, and science-based.
By applying the BlueCities Model to Lake Pichola, Udaipur has the opportunity to restore ecological balance, enhance tourism-driven livelihoods, and secure water resilience—all while inspiring other Indian cities to pursue a greener, circular, and inclusive urban future.
The Urgent Choice Before Us
The deteriorating state of Lake Pichola presents a pivotal crossroads for Udaipur—a decision between persistent environmental neglect or proactive ecological revival. The lake, once revered as a symbol of harmony between humans and nature, now suffers from urban mismanagement, untreated sewage, and plastic pollution.
The implications stretch far beyond aesthetics or tourism, touching critical concerns such as public health, economic viability, and climate resilience.
Revitalizing Lake Pichola is no longer about beautification; it is an environmental necessity. From the rise in vector-borne diseases to the shrinking of biodiversity and increased risk of urban flooding, the lake’s decline reflects systemic failures.
However, as seen in successful models like the Narmada Riverfront and the Mithi River Restoration, regeneration is entirely achievable.
Through the right combination of community engagement, scientific interventions, and long-term sustainability policies, Udaipur can not only restore its iconic lake but also reimagine its urban future.
Earth5R’s BlueCities initiative provides the expertise, data-driven tools, and proven models to lead this transformation. It integrates waste-to-resource pathways, citizen science projects, corporate partnerships through CSR, and skill-building programs that ensure lasting impact.
By joining hands with citizens, corporations, local governments, and NGOs, Udaipur can become a benchmark in urban sustainability and ecological stewardship. The time to act is now—before the tipping point is crossed. Lake Pichola’s revival is within reach, and Earth5R stands ready to lead this movement from blueprint to reality.
This satellite-based infographic highlights the geographical proximity and urban integration of Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Swaroop Sagar, and Dudh Talai within Udaipur city. It underscores the importance of a holistic, city-level restoration approach through Earth5R’s BlueCities Model for sustainable lake rejuvenation.
Data Snapshot Box For Lake Pichola
Effective restoration efforts rely on accurate and accessible environmental data. The table below presents a quick snapshot of Lake Pichola’s current condition based on available sources and surveys. These indicators can guide the prioritization of intervention strategies.
| Indicator | Current Status | Source |
| Sewage Treated | Less than 50% | India Water Portal |
| BOD Level | 6.3 mg/L (above safe limits) | Rajasthan Pollution Control Board |
| Biodiversity Loss | Decline in native fish species | Zoological Survey of India |
| Plastic Waste Dumped | 12 tonnes/month | Hindustan Times |
| Encroachment | Approx. 25% of shoreline impacted | Down to Earth |
| Groundwater Contamination | Detected near urban fringes | Central Ground Water Board |
| Tourism Drop | 18% decrease during monsoon | Economic Times Travel |
| Flooding Incidents | Major overflow in 2022 | Times of India |
These indicators, when updated in real time, can form the backbone of a public environmental dashboard and strengthen community-led monitoring and restoration actions.
Earth5R’s Blue Cities Model: A Sustainable Future for Lake Pichola
The Blue Cities Model developed by Earth5R offers a groundbreaking and inclusive framework to combat the environmental degradation afflicting Lake Pichola.
Rooted in community-led action, data-driven planning, and interdisciplinary partnerships, this model promotes regenerative urban transformation that integrates citizens, corporations, and government agencies. Rather than isolated cleanup campaigns, it champions a system-wide approach toward long-term sustainability and resilience.
Citizen Science and Community Stewardship
At the heart of the model lies citizen science, a method that empowers local residents to collect environmental data, monitor pollution levels, and collaborate with experts to co-develop restoration strategies.
This approach fosters a deep sense of civic responsibility and long-term stewardship. A prime example is Puttenahalli Lake in Karnataka, where community-driven action successfully revived the ecosystem, enhanced water quality, and attracted back native species.
CSR-Funded Environmental Innovation
The Blue Cities Model also strategically leverages Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to implement localized environmental innovations. These funds are directed toward floating wetlands, lake aeration systems, and urban forestry patches, all of which contribute to ecosystem rejuvenation.
The Navi Mumbai Wetland Cleanup, for example, is a successful CSR-funded initiative that demonstrates how business interests can align with environmental sustainability under transparent governance frameworks.
Education and Youth Empowerment
Educational outreach forms another core pillar of the model. Earth5R partners with schools, colleges, and community groups to implement climate literacy, zero-waste training, and eco-leadership workshops. These programs not only raise environmental awareness but also enable youth-led micro-projects, including composting units, lake cleanup drives, and plastic audits.
Earth5R’s approach mirrors global efforts like UNEP’s Tide Turners Youth Programme, which has shown that early engagement leads to long-term behavioral change and community transformation.
Real-Time Monitoring and Smart Data
To support evidence-based decisions, Earth5R incorporates a technological layer using IoT-based environmental sensors and mobile monitoring apps. These tools provide real-time data on pollution levels, biodiversity health, and community engagement metrics.
Similar systems are already being implemented under India’s National Mission for Clean Ganga, where smart sensors enable continuous tracking of river water quality, ensuring accountability and transparency in conservation.
Circular Economy and Waste-to-Resource Innovation
A hallmark of Earth5R’s model is its focus on the circular economy. Through initiatives like decentralized composting, plastic recycling units, and greywater reuse, the model minimizes urban waste and maximizes resource efficiency.
The Earth5R Sustainability Hub in Thane has shown how circular solutions can generate employment, reduce landfill dependence, and build climate resilience at the community level.
Reviving Lake Pichola Through Systemic Change
Applying this holistic model to Lake Pichola, Earth5R envisions an ecologically vibrant Udaipur, where environmental integrity supports economic vitality.
The city’s booming tourism sector, heavily reliant on the lake’s aesthetic and ecological health, stands to benefit immensely. A clean and biodiverse lake not only enhances livelihoods, but also strengthens climate resilience, public health, and urban wellbeing.
A Blueprint for Shared Sustainability
As Lake Pichola teeters on the brink of ecological collapse, Earth5R’s Blue Cities Model emerges as a science-backed, people-powered solution. By combining citizen engagement, corporate accountability, and government collaboration, this model provides a replicable roadmap for sustainable urban development.
It invites Udaipur to embrace a shared responsibility for its natural heritage—transforming sustainability from an abstract goal into a lived, local reality.Together, through collective action and conscious stewardship, Udaipur can not only restore Lake Pichola but also set a lasting example of how communities can reclaim their environment.
-Authored By Pragna Chakraborty
