Gandhinagar: The state govt announced on Tuesday that it will launch a ‘lake and air watch’ initiative across 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipalities of the state to ensure real-time monitoring of lakes and air quality. The project will be implemented through the Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM).An official statement said that due to rapid urbanization, issues such as lake pollution, reduced water quality, decreased natural recharge of groundwater, and impacts on air quality in dense areas have arisen. To address these challenges, the initiative will integrate existing monitoring systems across various departments and ensure timely action, the govt said.The govt said that in the near future, GUDM will develop an integrated, digital, and real-time information platform to monitor lakes and air quality in the state’s cities. With an estimated budget of Rs 10 crore, the initiative will play a significant role in promoting environmental conservation, the govt claimed.The govt stated that city lakes are facing problems such as pollution, sediment buildup, and declining water quality. Under the initiative, satellite technology will be used to assess lake area, track pollution indicators, and detect algae, enabling timely alerts and swift conservation measures. Air quality monitoring points will be set up in 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipal areas of the state. These facilities will provide real-time air quality information (AQI). Automatic alerts will be generated when AQI increases, allowing departments to take immediate action, the govt said.
