Assessing the Sustainable Development through Physical Infrastructure Sustainability: Water Pollution and Environmental Degradation at Ritual Tank Ambala, Ramtek

Ambala, the Kashi/ Ganga of South of Vidarbha in Ramtek has its regional importance for want of pilgrimmage, socio-cultural, heritage and Eco-tourism. The Ambala Water Tank was made by King Amba for having got his skin disease cured by washing the face and hands by its water. The groups of temples were constructed along edges of the Ambala tank by the Bhosla Kings of Nagpur who had their week end retreat and religious centre at Ramtek. The geographical setting shows the Ambala valley collecting the rain water from all around hills making the water medically pure for drinking purpose. Today, Ambala tank water is used for the Ganesh/ Goddess idol Visarjan, temple rituals, cremation, Asthivisarjan Puja/ Dashakriya rituals, bathing, fishing, washing clothes etc. The overflow drains, few drain outlets from Ambala settlement are also passed into the water tank. The water body is getting polluted due to all these activities day by day. The urban local body (ULB) is responsible for the maintenance of the area. It is using customary ways of maintenance which are observed in effective as the stagnant water is getting smelly and polluted due to waste thrown in to the water by means of different activities. Public Private Participation is one solution identified with the strategic plan to involve the ULB, Local public and the NGOs for conservation management of Water from Ambala tank. Strategic planning for the conservation of Ambala tank water is discussed in this paper by the authors.