Ana Sagar Lake is the heart of Ajmer. Built in the 12th century by Anaji Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, this artificial lake has been a lifeline for the city for centuries.
Nestled in the Aravalli hills, it stretches across 13 square kilometers during the monsoon. It once served as a key water reservoir, a cooling refuge, and a spiritual space. Historically, Ana Sagar has shaped the rhythm of life in Ajmer.
The lake supported agriculture, daily water needs, and vibrant local commerce. It attracted emperors and poets alike—Jahangir even built a marble pavilion here. Residents celebrated festivals along its banks. Tourists paused for sunsets reflected on its waters.
It became more than geography—it became identity. But today, Ana Sagar is in crisis. Polluted inflows, untreated sewage, and unregulated urbanization have choked its waters. Encroachments have shrunk its area. Plastic waste litters its banks.
Seasonal fluctuations are extreme, and aquatic life is dwindling. Once a symbol of life, the lake now reflects the stress of urban neglect. Ajmer, like many growing Indian cities, is facing pressure.
Population growth, rapid construction, and lack of ecological planning have taken a toll. And Ana Sagar is the mirror. When a city’s lake suffers, so does the city. Water scarcity rises. Public health declines. Climate resilience weakens. Cultural memory fades.
Reviving Ana Sagar is no longer optional—it’s essential. The lake is not just a body of water. It is a living system tied to Ajmer’s ecological and social health. This article explores how Earth5R’s BlueCities model offers a practical, people-powered, and sustainable roadmap.
Through community action, data-driven planning, and circular economy principles, there is hope for revival of Ana Sagar Lake —and in doing so, secure Ajmer’s future.
Key Problems Facing Ana Sagar Lake
Ana Sagar Lake, once a thriving waterbody at the heart of Ajmer, is now under environmental stress. Pollution, encroachment, and biodiversity loss have turned this historic lake into a symbol of urban neglect.
The following outlines the key challenges the lake faces today, with data-backed evidence to demonstrate the urgency for action.
Sewage and Wastewater Pollution
Ajmer generates over 46 million liters of sewage every day, according to the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB, 2023). Unfortunately, the city can treat only about 25 million liters daily.
This leaves a significant gap—approximately 21 million liters of sewage enters the environment untreated each day. Much of it flows into Ana Sagar Lake through open, unregulated drains.
These inflows carry a mix of organic matter, detergents, industrial runoff, and pathogens. Water samples analyzed by the Central Pollution Control Board in 2022 paint a disturbing picture.
The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels ranged between 30 to 45 mg/L, while the safe standard is under 3 mg/L. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) exceeded 120 mg/L, well beyond the acceptable limit of 50 mg/L.
Fecal coliform counts were also dangerously high, with levels crossing 10,000 MPN per 100 ml. For context, water is considered safe for bathing when this count is below 500 MPN.
These numbers confirm that Ana Sagar’s water is not only biologically unsafe but also a serious health hazard for humans and animals alike.
Solid Waste Dumping
The problem doesn’t stop at liquid waste. Solid waste dumping is another major issue plaguing Ana Sagar. Ajmer generates nearly 180 tons of solid waste every day. While collection efforts are in place, they are inconsistent and often bypass lakeside communities.
A study by MDS University in 2022 found that over six tons of waste is dumped weekly along the lake’s periphery. This includes plastic packaging, bags, bottles, construction debris like bricks and cement, and everyday household garbage.
The waste is not managed properly. Makeshift dumping sites line the lakebanks, and in many areas, open burning of garbage releases toxic smoke into the surrounding environment. Local vendors, tourists, and residents contribute to the problem, often because there are no nearby waste bins or collection points.
Water Quality Degradation
The impact of pollution is visible in the lake’s deteriorating water quality. The lake water emits a foul odor, especially during summer. Its once-clear appearance has turned to a murky brown, often accompanied by floating debris and foamy scum.
Algal blooms are now a common occurrence, a direct result of high nutrient loads from sewage. Scientific data confirms these visual cues. According to the 2023 RSPCB report, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels drop below 1 mg/L during peak summer.
A healthy aquatic ecosystem requires DO levels above 5 mg/L. Additionally, sediment samples taken from the lakebed show the presence of lead, cadmium, and mercury—heavy metals that are toxic to both aquatic life and humans.
These pollutants likely enter the lake from nearby runoff, battery disposal, and other unregulated waste streams.
Loss of Biodiversity
As the water quality has declined, so has Ana Sagar’s biodiversity. In the 1990s, local fishers and researchers documented over 25 species of native fish in the lake. Now, fewer than eight species remain, according to a 2022 report by the Rajasthan Fisheries Department.
The lake no longer supports a healthy fish population, which has implications for both local livelihoods and the food chain. Amphibians and aquatic birds have also declined in number. Migratory birds that once made Ana Sagar a seasonal home have stopped arriving.
A study by MDS University in 2021 recorded a 40 percent drop in bird diversity over the past 15 years. The disappearance of species that once thrived here points to the broader ecological collapse of the lake’s ecosystem.
Lakebank Encroachment
Ana Sagar’s boundaries have also been encroached upon at an alarming rate. Analysis of satellite imagery from ISRO’s Bhuvan portal between 2010 and 2023 reveals that nearly 17 percent of the lake’s water spread area has been lost to unauthorized development.
Concrete structures, commercial stalls, and informal settlements now occupy once-natural zones. On the northwestern shore, clusters of informal dwellings have emerged. The eastern side of the lake has seen shops and semi-permanent structures take over access points.
The southern bank has been converted into a makeshift parking zone. These encroachments block natural drainage, prevent groundwater recharge, and limit public use of the lake.
Groundwater Contamination
The damage to Ana Sagar doesn’t remain at the surface. It extends underground as well. The lake interacts with Ajmer’s local aquifers. As pollutants seep through the lakebed, they contaminate nearby groundwater sources.
A 2023 survey conducted by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) tested 15 wells and handpumps within one kilometer of Ana Sagar Lake. The results revealed that nitrate levels exceeded 45 mg/L in nine of these sites.
This concentration is well above the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 10 mg/L. Such elevated nitrate levels pose significant health risks, including methemoglobinemia, especially in infants.
Lead was found in five locations, with concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.12 mg/L, far above the acceptable level of 0.01 mg/L. Residents depending on these wells for drinking or irrigation now face heightened risks of health issues.
Reports of skin infections, gastrointestinal disorders, and waterborne diseases are rising in neighborhoods adjacent to the lake. The crisis facing Ana Sagar Lake is layered and deeply concerning.
From untreated sewage and solid waste to vanishing biodiversity and contaminated groundwater, the lake’s decline is well documented. Each problem is not isolated but part of a cascading ecological failure.
These facts are not just numbers—they represent lost livelihoods, fading cultural memory, and rising health risks. But if we can measure the decline, we can also design recovery.
Consequences of Lake Neglect
Neglecting Ana Sagar Lake has not just damaged the ecosystem. It has triggered a ripple effect across public health, urban safety, local economies, and social equity. When a lake dies, the community around it suffers in direct and measurable ways. This section explores the human cost of ignoring Ana Sagar’s decline.
Public Health Risks
The pollution of Ana Sagar Lake has turned it into a health hazard. The untreated sewage and solid waste dumped into the lake carry pathogens, toxins, and pollutants that affect thousands of residents. Contaminated water from the lake seeps into groundwater sources.
Many families living near the lake still rely on wells and handpumps for daily water needs. As a result, exposure to unsafe water is constant. Local health records from Ajmer’s government hospitals show a consistent rise in waterborne diseases.
Cases of diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis A, and skin infections are higher in neighborhoods closest to the lake. Children and the elderly are most affected. The problem doesn’t end with water. Burning waste around the lake releases harmful particles into the air.
Residents report increased cases of respiratory problems, asthma, and chronic coughs. Poor air quality, combined with toxic water, creates a public health emergency.
The lack of regular medical checkups and limited healthcare access in low-income areas makes matters worse. Many families face repeated illness cycles without proper treatment.
Increased Urban Flooding
Another serious consequence of lake neglect is flooding. Ana Sagar once acted as a natural buffer during the monsoon. Its large water-holding capacity helped control stormwater and prevent overflows.
But over the years, encroachment and silt accumulation have reduced this capacity drastically. Open drains that once flowed into the lake are now choked or blocked by garbage and illegal structures. As a result, rainwater finds no path to exit.
It pools in streets, homes, and public spaces. Ajmer has experienced multiple flooding incidents in recent years. In 2018 and 2021, heavy rains caused severe urban flooding in the nearby colonies of Civil Lines, Naya Bazaar, and Vaishali Nagar.
Waterlogged streets and damaged homes led to school closures, power outages, and even temporary displacements. These floods are not just natural disasters—they are man-made. Had Ana Sagar been maintained, it could have absorbed much of this rainwater.
Instead, poor lake management has increased the city’s flood risk. Restoration is not just an environmental act but a protective measure against urban chaos.
Economic Losses
The neglect of Ana Sagar also has hidden economic costs. These costs show up in healthcare bills, lost tourism revenue, and damaged infrastructure. Families living near the lake spend more on medical care due to frequent illnesses.
This is a heavy burden, especially for low-income groups who already struggle with basic needs. Missed workdays and lower productivity further affect household income. Real estate values around Ana Sagar have declined over time.
What should have been prime lakeside property now sits next to a polluted, smelly waterbody. Investors avoid the area. Local business activity slows down. Tourism is another lost opportunity. Ana Sagar once attracted visitors from across Rajasthan and beyond.
But poor water quality, bad smells, and littered banks have driven tourists away. Local vendors, rickshaw drivers, and shopkeepers who once depended on tourist footfall have seen incomes shrink.
According to Ajmer’s tourism department, footfall around Ana Sagar dropped by nearly 30% between 2015 and 2022. The lake’s decline has directly affected livelihoods tied to it. Finally, flood damages also cost the government money.
Repairs to roads, sewage lines, and public infrastructure drain municipal budgets. These funds could be better spent on development—but instead, they’re used for damage control.
Social Inequality
Perhaps the most troubling consequence of lake neglect is the deepening of social inequality. Poor families suffer the most. Many slum communities are located near the lake’s edge. These are areas with weak housing, little drainage, and no solid waste management.
When the lake floods, these communities are hit first and hardest. Homes are submerged. Belongings are destroyed. Children miss school. Recovery is slow and often unsupported. These same communities rely on groundwater for daily use.
When contamination spreads, they have no choice but to continue using unsafe water. Affluent neighborhoods can afford bottled water or water filters. Poor families cannot. There is also a lack of voice. Slum dwellers are often excluded from planning processes.
Their concerns are rarely heard. Even when clean-up drives or beautification projects begin, they are sometimes evicted without proper resettlement. Lake degradation becomes both a cause and a symbol of injustice.
It shows how environmental issues intersect with poverty and exclusion. Fixing Ana Sagar is not just about the lake—it’s about fairness and equal opportunity.
Ana Sagar’s decline is not just an ecological concern. It is a human crisis. Health risks have increased. Flooding disrupts lives. Economic activity has slowed. Vulnerable communities carry the heaviest burden. These impacts are all preventable.
Restoring the lake means restoring safety, dignity, and opportunity to thousands of people in Ajmer. It is time for revival of Ana Sagar Lake not just as water, but as a living system that supports an entire city.
Why Past Efforts for Ana Sagar Lake Revival Have Failed
Over the years, multiple attempts have been made for Ana Sagar Lake Revival. Yet, the lake continues to deteriorate. The reasons are not just environmental—they are deeply systemic. Understanding these failures is key to designing a better future.
One major reason is fragmented governance. Several government bodies have overlapping responsibilities. The Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan Pollution Control Board (RPCB), and the Tourism Department all claim some authority.
But coordination is weak. One department may begin work without consulting others. Another may block progress due to legal or funding issues. This lack of unified leadership leads to delays, duplication, and abandoned projects.
Most restoration efforts have focused on beautification, not ecological repair. Gardens, walking tracks, and lights were added to attract tourists. While these improve aesthetics, they do nothing to stop pollution. The untreated sewage still flows in.
The plastic waste still piles up. The algae still blooms. Beautification creates a clean surface—but it leaves deeper problems untouched. It’s like painting over cracks in a wall without fixing the foundation.
Another gap is the absence of real-time monitoring. No system exists to track water quality or pollution levels daily. Without live data, agencies act too late. By the time reports arrive, damage is already done. This makes accountability impossible.
Citizens have no way to see what’s improving—or what’s getting worse. The lack of transparency creates room for inaction and blame-shifting. Public involvement has also been limited. Citizen engagement is usually one-time and symbolic.
Clean-up drives are held once a year, often for media visibility. After that, nothing changes. People return to using the lake as a dumping ground. They are not informed, empowered, or involved in long-term solutions.
Without continuous engagement, there is no sense of ownership. People treat the lake as someone else’s problem. Many efforts have also ignored the root causes. They fail to fix upstream drains, build enough sewage treatment, or stop illegal construction.
As a result, even when the lake is cleaned, it becomes dirty again within weeks. Temporary fixes cannot solve structural issues. Funding has often been inconsistent. Projects begin with a big announcement but stall due to a lack of money or political will.
In some cases, funds are misused or spent on low-impact activities. There’s no independent audit system to track where the money goes or whether results match promises. Finally, most programs ignore local knowledge.
Ajmer’s residents, environmental groups, and students are rarely invited into planning. Yet, they have ideas, energy, and firsthand understanding of the problem. Excluding them is a lost opportunity.
In short, the failure to save Ana Sagar is not due to one mistake. It’s due to a broken system. Disconnected institutions, surface-level fixes, poor monitoring, and passive communities have made progress impossible.
A new model must fix these flaws. It must be data-driven, community-led, and accountable. That’s where Earth5R’s BlueCities approach offers a different path—one that unites ecology with governance, and people with purpose.
What Needs to Be Done: The Blueprint for Complete Ana Sagar Lake Revival
Ana Sagar Lake Revival is not possible by short-term fixes or isolated clean-up drives. It needs a complete, systemic transformation. Restoration must be rooted in science, backed by data, driven by the community, and supported by technology.
The following blueprint lays out five essential layers for sustainable, long-term revival.
Zero Untreated Sewage
The first step is to stop sewage from entering the lake. Every drain, every pipe, and every outlet leading to Ana Sagar must be mapped and intercepted. Today, Ajmer generates more sewage than its treatment capacity can handle.
Several old drains release raw wastewater directly into the lake. This must end. Upgrading Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) is critical. Existing facilities must be modernized to handle higher volumes and meet quality standards.
New STPs should be built near dense neighborhoods with no treatment access. Drainage mapping should identify illegal and broken connections. These must be sealed or redirected to proper treatment channels. Compliance monitoring is equally vital.
Discharge from commercial establishments, hotels, and nearby institutions should be regularly inspected. Penalties must be enforced for violations. Real-time flow meters and digital monitoring of STP output can ensure consistent performance. The goal: zero untreated sewage in the lake—every drop must be processed.
Solid Waste to Circular Economy
Ana Sagar’s banks are littered with plastic, household garbage, and construction debris. This is both a sanitation and aesthetic problem. The solution lies in decentralized, circular waste management. Every lake-facing ward must have its own local waste segregation hub.
Households and businesses should be encouraged and incentivized to separate waste at source. Recyclables like plastic, glass, and metal can be routed to local recycling units. Organic waste should be composted and used for lake-facing gardens or community farms.
Building debris and bulky waste must be removed regularly. Dedicated drop-off points for such waste will reduce dumping on lakebanks. Public bins near the lake should be redesigned. Smart bins with overflow alerts will help prevent spillovers.
Regular cleaning cycles must be enforced by the municipality. Importantly, informal waste workers should be included. Training and formalization will create jobs while increasing collection efficiency. Waste should no longer be seen as a problem—but as a resource that powers a local circular economy.
Ecological Restoration
The lake’s ecological health must be rebuilt from the ground up. This begins with restoring its wetlands and natural buffers. Constructed wetlands on the lake’s edge can filter pollutants naturally.
These act like biological kidneys, using soil, plants, and microbes to clean inflowing water. Planting native species is essential. These plants require less maintenance and support local fauna. Invasive species must be removed carefully to restore balance.
Floating treatment islands can also be deployed in stagnant zones. These small platforms, filled with vegetation, absorb excess nutrients and support aquatic life. To reverse biodiversity loss, biodiversity corridors must be created.
Linking the lake to nearby green spaces and water bodies will allow fish, birds, and insects to move freely and repopulate the ecosystem. Signs of success will include returning bird populations, clear water zones, and visible aquatic life. Restoration is slow—but deeply rewarding when done right.
Community Ownership Models
Government action alone cannot protect Ana Sagar. People must feel the lake belongs to them. This requires models of shared ownership. One proven model is the Lakekeeper program.
These are trained local volunteers who regularly monitor the lake, conduct awareness drives, and report pollution. They act as the eyes and ears of the restoration effort. Schools and colleges can run citizen science programs.
Students can collect water samples, track bird sightings, or map plastic hotspots. This builds data—and passion for the lake. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) should adopt lake zones. They can help with plantation, maintenance, and reporting encroachments.
Cultural and religious groups should be included. Festivals and gatherings must promote eco-friendly practices like zero plastic and responsible idol immersion. When communities become custodians, the culture around the lake shifts. Protection becomes personal. Neglect becomes unacceptable.
Transparent Real-Time Data Monitoring
Restoration without data is like flying blind. A robust, transparent monitoring system must be built. IoT-based water quality sensors can measure Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, turbidity, and temperature 24/7. These sensors should be installed at multiple lake points.
All data should be fed into a public dashboard. This dashboard must be accessible via mobile and web platforms. It should display live pollution levels, rainfall impact, and restoration progress.
Pollution spikes must trigger automatic alerts to authorities and citizen groups. When everyone sees the data, accountability becomes shared. Drone surveys every quarter can track encroachments, vegetation changes, and floating waste.
These images can be published to show whether efforts are working. Such transparency also attracts funding. Donors, corporates, and governments are more likely to invest in a system that proves impact.
Restoring Ana Sagar is possible. But it requires a multi-layered approach. Every layer—from sewage interception to citizen ownership—must work together. Piecemeal action won’t work. This is not just a clean-up. It’s a systems change.
Earth5R’s BlueCities model brings all these layers together. It integrates technology, community, ecology, and economy into a single restoration framework. Ajmer now has a chance—not just for Ana Sagar Lake Revival, but to redefine what a sustainable lake city looks like.
Earth5R BlueCities: The Proven, Scalable Solution for Ana Sagar Lake Revival
Ana Sagar Lake Revival needs more than isolated efforts. It needs a proven model that works across urban landscapes. Earth5R’s BlueCities model offers exactly that—a holistic, science-based, community-led approach to restoring degraded water bodies and building urban sustainability.
This model has already shown success in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. It is backed by partnerships with the United Nations, supported by corporations through CSR, and recognized by academic institutions like MIT. Earth5R blends credibility with innovation.
Data-Driven Lake Health Diagnosis
Every intervention starts with data. Earth5R deploys scientific surveys to assess lake conditions. Water quality is tested for parameters like BOD, COD, DO, turbidity, and heavy metals. Pollution sources are mapped—drains, encroachments, and dumping hotspots.
Digital platforms visualize this data for decision-making. This diagnosis forms the baseline for targeted action. Without real data, cleanup becomes guesswork. Earth5R ensures decisions are guided by facts, not assumptions.
Community-First Mobilization and Training
People are placed at the center of the BlueCities model. Earth5R believes communities must lead, not just participate. Their volunteers engage residents through door-to-door campaigns, school programs, and workshops. Citizens are trained to become Lakekeepers.
These are local stewards who take charge of monitoring, awareness, and reporting. Women’s groups and youth collectives are mobilized for ongoing involvement. This model transforms citizens into changemakers.
It also builds long-term accountability that top-down projects often lack.
Ecological Restoration Based on Science
BlueCities applies ecological science to revive the natural balance. Earth5R restores wetlands around lakes. These wetlands act as biofilters that clean inflow water. Native plants are introduced to stabilize shorelines and support biodiversity.
Earth5R also uses floating treatment wetlands and microbial solutions to reduce nutrient loads and control algal blooms. Biodiversity corridors are developed to reintroduce local fish and bird species. The restoration is gradual—but it is durable and low-maintenance. Nature heals itself when science helps it.
Waste-to-Recycling Circular Economy Integration
Solid waste is treated as a resource. Earth5R sets up decentralized waste collection points near the lake. Local waste is segregated, recycled, or composted—right where it is generated.
Earth5R trains waste pickers and unemployed youth to work as Green Entrepreneurs. They manage waste, earn livelihoods, and reduce landfill pressure. Plastic is repurposed. Compost nourishes gardens. This circular economy model solves two problems—pollution and unemployment—at once.
Corporate, CSR, and Government Partnership Models
Earth5R does not work alone. The BlueCities model is built for partnerships. In Mumbai, the revival of S Ward’s lake ecosystem was supported by the United Nations and local industries under CSR.
In Pune, Earth5R worked with municipal bodies to build climate-resilient waste management systems. In Thane, they collaborated with housing societies and youth clubs to eliminate illegal lake dumping. Ajmer’s revival of Ana Sagar can tap similar partnerships.
Government funds, CSR support, and institutional alliances can combine under one roadmap.
Technology Platforms for Real-Time Monitoring and Citizen Engagement
Earth5R integrates smart technologies. IoT-based sensors track water quality continuously. The data is made public through live dashboards and community apps. This creates transparency and allows timely intervention.
Drone surveys and GIS mapping help monitor changes in lake area, encroachments, and vegetation. QR-code tagging systems help citizens report violations instantly. Social media campaigns keep awareness alive. Technology becomes a tool for empowerment—not just administration.
Livelihood Creation Programs Linked to Green Economy
One of Earth5R’s unique contributions is linking sustainability to livelihoods. The BlueCities model generates jobs in waste management, lake monitoring, eco-tourism, nursery development, and environmental education.
Local residents are trained in green skills and supported in micro-entrepreneurship. In Mumbai, Earth5R’s lake revival efforts led to the creation of jobs for over 200 families. Women ran compost units. Youth led cleanup logistics. Ana Sagar Lake Revival can do the same—build a green economy rooted in the local community.
Earth5R’s BlueCities model is not theory. It is a proven and scalable solution. It restores lakes using science, technology, and human capital. It integrates ecology with economy, and policy with people. Ana Sagar Lake Revival can be the next success story.
With structured action, civic partnerships, and citizen leadership—Ajmer can become a national model for lake-city sustainability.
Ana Sagar’s Tipping Point: A Call to Action for Ana Sagar Lake Revival
Ana Sagar Lake is at a tipping point. For centuries, it has nourished Ajmer—its people, its economy, and its culture. But today, the lake is gasping. Raw sewage, solid waste, and unchecked encroachments have taken a heavy toll.
What happens next is a choice. We can let the lake decline further. Or we can act—with bold, structured, and science-backed solutions. There is no more time for token clean-ups or decorative beautification. The lake needs a full ecological recovery. And it needs it now.
The good news is this: revival is possible. Lakes across India and the world have bounced back—when the right models were used. Ana Sagar is no different. It can return to life. It can once again support biodiversity, cool the city, and offer clean water.
But this revival won’t happen in isolation. Governments must plan and invest with urgency. Corporations must step in with CSR support. Most importantly, citizens must rise—as volunteers, watchers, and changemakers. It is a shared mission. A shared future.
Earth5R’s BlueCities model offers a proven path. It brings together data, people, ecology, and economy. It has worked in Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. It can work in Ajmer too. The tools are here. The experience is ready. What’s needed now is collective will.
Ana Sagar Lake doesn’t need revival someday. It needs revival today. Let us come together—for our lake, our city, and our future. Because when we heal the lake, we heal the city.
Data Snapshot: Ana Sagar Lake at a Glance
| Indicator | Current Status | Source |
| Sewage Treated | 40% | Ajmer Municipal Corporation Report (2023) |
| BOD Level | 38 mg/L | Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (2023) |
| Biodiversity Loss | 70% species lost | MDS University Ecological Study (2022) |
| Encroachment | 35% lakebank lost | Ajmer Urban Planning Survey (2022) |
Urban Sustainability Opportunities for Ajmer through Ana Sagar Lake Revival
Ajmer’s revival must go beyond Ana Sagar Lake. A truly resilient future lies in transforming the entire urban ecosystem. The challenges of waste, pollution, and climate change are connected. So must be the solutions.
The city has a powerful opportunity to lead with sustainability. Lake restoration can be the starting point—but the end goal is a greener, cleaner, smarter Ajmer.
Waste Management and Circular Economy
Ajmer generates over 150 tonnes of solid waste every day. Less than 30% is processed or recycled. Most ends up in open dumps or drains leading to Ana Sagar Lake. This can change. The city can adopt decentralized Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
These units sort, recycle, and compost waste at the ward level. Earth5R’s circular economy model enables communities to run these MRFs as green businesses. Plastic becomes building material. Organic waste becomes compost. Nothing goes to waste. With smart planning, Ajmer can shift from waste burden to waste value.
Sustainable Mobility and Transport
Vehicle emissions are a growing threat. Ajmer’s vehicle population has more than doubled in the last decade. Air quality has declined. Congestion has increased. The solution lies in green transport planning.
The city can build dedicated cycle lanes, invest in e-rickshaw infrastructure, and promote electric public transport. Car-free zones around the lake and old city could reduce emissions and restore walkability. With policy and community support, Ajmer can lead Rajasthan in clean urban mobility.
Urban Green Spaces and Biodiversity
Ajmer has lost significant green cover in recent years. Many parks, forests, and open spaces have been encroached or neglected. This green deficit affects health, temperature, and biodiversity. The city can restore urban forests and biodiversity parks.
Native trees and pollinator corridors can be reintroduced. Rooftop gardens and vertical greenery can also cool dense areas. Ajmer can create a network of green lungs that filter air, reduce heat, and boost mental well-being.
Water Conservation and Management
Water stress is a looming crisis. Over-extraction of groundwater and erratic rainfall have created shortages. Ajmer can adopt rainwater harvesting retrofits in schools, public buildings, and homes.
Greywater from bathrooms and kitchens can be recycled for gardens and flushing. Community-led watershed management can revive seasonal streams and tanks. Smart water meters, leak detection, and public dashboards can make usage transparent. Water security is not about supply—it’s about managing demand wisely.
Carbon Footprint Reduction and Climate Action
Ajmer has no clear roadmap for reducing its urban carbon footprint. Yet the climate crisis is real. The city can take the lead in carbon neutrality programs. Solar rooftops, green buildings, and energy audits in offices can lower emissions.
Corporates and institutions can conduct carbon audits and offset through urban forestation and lake restoration. By tracking emissions and acting early, Ajmer can become a climate-smart city.
Citizen Sustainability Engagement
None of these efforts will work without people. Citizen awareness, participation, and ownership are essential. Ajmer can introduce public green awards, rewarding eco-friendly schools, businesses, and homes. Sustainability education can be part of the city curriculum.
An Eco-Citizen App can gamify green actions—like recycling, using public transport, or reporting pollution. Earth5R’s community training programs can activate residents as change agents. When citizens act, cities transform.
By integrating Ana Sagar Lake revival with holistic urban sustainability, Ajmer can become a living model of environmental resilience. Earth5R’s BlueCities initiative is uniquely positioned to guide this transformation at every step.
~Authored by Ameya Satam
