8. Eco-Restoration of Lakes and Water Sustainability in Urban Areas

More than half of the world’s population resides in urban and suburban areas. An increase in the rate of urbanization in recent years has put extreme pressure on the environment which has led to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. The water bodies in urban areas have become primary source of sewage discharge which has led to poor water quality and issues like eutrophication. Therefore it is very crucial to maintain a healthy state of water bodies. The role of eco-restoration becomes critical in this regard. Eco-restoration techniques for improving the condition of water bodies across urban areas involve a mixture of physical (dredging, flushing, aeration, drainage etc.), chemical (clarification, adsorption, disinfection etc.) and biological (species management, microbial remediation, habitat restoration etc.) techniques which are implemented both within as well as outside the aquatic body. These practices are yet to be implemented more effectively in developing countries like India where the rate of urbanisation is fairly high. Eco-restoration holds key to treatment and reuse of water, thus, leading to water sustainability in urban areas. Further, such practices serve as primary solution for improving the health of water bodies which will not only help humanity to better adapt and respond to climate change but also in building a sustainable future.