patiala ki rao

7/13/2019 Patiala Ki Rao

1/24

PATIALA KI RAO


2/24

Patiala Ki Rao is a seasonal choe with several ecologically sensitive zones. Several settlements are developing exponentiallywithin and along the choe bed which are putting extreme pressure on the choe for their drainage and waste disposal. This ishaving a negative impact on the surrounding environment. The choe, today has converted into a dry nullah whose integrity is atstake. It is imperative to take measures to save its existing ecology. If protection policies are not implemented to preserve thechoe it will lead to the destruction of local ecology.

Is it sensible to spend millions to reclaim lands in order to beautify the surroundings, if at the same time we fail to take appro-private steps to save our existing natural environment from being washed away?


3/24XXXX


4/24XXXX


5/24XX

Dry Choe Bed on the western pe-

riphery bridged between Chandigarh

and Mullanpur in Punjab.

UNDERSTANDING PATIALA KIRAODIVYA KUMAR / MAHAVIR SINGH

Diagram showing Patiala Ki Rao in con-

text to Chandigarh.

U.T. Boundar y

Major roads

Minor roads

Patiala Ki Rao

Other water Bodies

Forest/Green belts

Tubewells

When you defy the rules of Nature, its easier to see a Protector becomes Constrictor. -Divya KumarIntroductionClose proximity with nature played a major role in the selection of the site for the city of Chan-digarh. Originating in the Sivalik Hills to the north of the city, the two major choes- the Sukhnachoe and Patiala ki rao on either side define the eastern and western periphery of Chandigarh.These choes are major part of the ecology around the city. Two minor tributaries join togetherto form Patiala Ki Rao choe. The third tributary of Patiala Ki Rao named Perch which no longerexists was dammed in the year 1991 by the Punjab Government to provide irrigation facilities tothe surrounding areas. The choe provides seasonal drainage for the surface water runoff of the6000 ft high Sivaliks. The choe covers major part of Punjab through the Sivaliks. Flowing acrossnorth western to south eastern region of Chandigarh the choe enters Mohali from where it headstowards Patiala in Punjab.

Rural settlements exist along the choe whose presence dates back beyond twenty years. A roadalong the choe edge connects these villages to the city. These settlements serve the city in varietyof ways like trading of agricultural and dairy products due to huge agricultural land and animalhusbandry being practiced there. These include Khuda Jassu, Khuda Lahora, Dhanas Dadumajraand Nayagaon which are sandwiched between Chandigarh and Mullanpur. Other villages North-East of the city include Nada, Karoran, Singa Devi, Tandi in Punjab.

Minute quantity of water in the choe

due to dry season.


6/24XX

Geography of Patiala Ki Rao originating

from the contours of SIivaliks.

1 // Chandigarh Administration, Chan-

digarh Master Plan 2031 Draft, 17.5

2// State of Environment Report, Chan-

digarh. 3 Feb 2014.

3 // hydrogeology 7 Feb 2014. < cgwb.

gov.in >.

HYDROLOGY

ECOLOGY

FLOODPLAINS

Stacked plates : Patiala Ki Raos natural endowments.

Geography

HydrologyThe choe covers majority of area under water bodies which contribute to 3.1% of area to the city. 2Monsoons contribute majority of water flow of the choe from July to September, rest of the yearbeing dry. The water flow in the choe has reduced over the last decade due to Siltation mainlycaused by natural forces over time, construction around the choe and deforestation. The sur-rounding area experiences hot summers from March to June, cold and dry winter from Novemberto March, sub-tropical monsoon from July to September and a humid post monsoon transition

period from September to October.The layers of the choe bed comprise of materials deposited by runoff from Sivaliks. These materialsinclude stones, sand, silt and clay. Along the choe a thick bed of sand has been observed. This thickbed is inter-layered with clay in northeast and southwest directions of the nala. Clay percentagevarying from 31 to 88 and sand percentage varying from 12 to 69 have been encountered in variousboreholes. Deep aquifers are found along this region existing below 250 mbgl.3 The choe recharg-es these deep sub-soil water aquifers which provide Chandigarh about 20% of its ground water. 1Many of Chandigarhs tube wells are currently located in the beds of the choe.

WildlifeFlowing through parts of UT, Haryana and Punjab, the Patiala Ki Rao performs important ecolog-ical functions from housing variety of flora and fauna to channelizing run-off water from the hills

thus preventing flooding and erosion. Large variety of wildlife exists in the forestlands of the choe.Birds including peacocks, vultures, eagles, bats etc are found in the Patiala Ki Rao reserve forest.Others include deer, swamp deer, tiger and indian muntjac in upper regions of Sivaliks. Migratorybirds visit the area during winter. Small water bodies formed as a result of the choe cater to avariety of fish and ducks.Out of 470.38 ha of forest land 23.29 ha of land was counted as Patiala Ki Rao reserve forest by UTin 1961.1 Various green belts have been retained along the choe in Mohali. Within Chandigarh itself,Patiala Ki Rao Reserve Forest contributes to the overall green cover of UT.

Forests in midst of Sivaliks.


7/24XX

Wells recharged by the choe are being used for irrigation and domestic purpose.

Forests along the choe are ecologically sensitive zones house a large variety of flora andfauna.

Absence of any boundaries between the hills and the developments makes it easy for interac-tion between wildlife and existing settlements.

Vehicles with in the choe bed depicting choe being used as road due to absence of water andno proper road connectivity in the region.

Gurudwara showing socio-cultural aspect of village life. These spaces act as recreationalplaces for these settlements.

The choe carries out multiple functions of recharging ground water, keeping the soil configu-ration balanced useful for agriculture and carrying the villages bio waste downhill.

Current ScenarioToday, the function of the choe has taken a twist due to various human interventions which haveresulted in degradation of the choe and the natural environment surrounding it. Patiala Ki Rao isunder serious threat from the developments taking place along it. Non Sectoral Villages of Chan-digarh growing illegally beyond the Lal Dora are depending upon the choe for their waste disposal.Due to absence of proper sewage system, sewage from the surrounding villages is diverted intothe choe. Also unsupervised garbage dumps thrown into the choe have converted it into dumpingground.Unauthorized settlements taking place within the dry choe bed have created embankments to

prevent flooding during monsoon. Natural forces over time and construction around the choehaVE led to siltation- a major contributor of reduction in water content. In addition to this, Un-regulated sand mining taking place in parts is reducing the water recharging capacity gradually.

Land DistributionThe land along the choe is acquired by both government and private holders. Major chunk of landwithin and around the villages involves agricultural practices but today this land is being sold offto private owners for other purposes like animal husbandry, tourism activities etc. A combinationof Urban and rural character can be seen throughout the stretch.

FutureGrowth is taking place at an alarming rate putting extreme pressure on the choe for waste dispos-

al. If this uncontrolled growth is not managed it will have a negative impact on the city as well asthe surrounding natural environment. Also this informal growth will eventually disrupt the fragileecology of the Patiala ki Rao.

Women disposing waste water into the

choe.

Understaffed men clearing overwhelm-

ing amount of garbage in the choe.

Embankments made in stone by illegal

temporary settlements along the banks

of the choe.

Panaromic view showing various aspects of Rural life along Patiala Ki Rao.


8/24XX

Current Scenario showing activities of the

surrounding areas along Patiala Ki Rao.

WILDLIFE

WILDLIFE

FARMING

BRIDGE

ECO TOURISM

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

GARBAGE DISPOSAL

SETTLEMENTS

WATER BODIES

HOSPITAL

INSTITUTIONS

PUBLIC AREAS


9/24XX

Over population and growth has led to the search for more and more cultivable and residentialland at the expense of nature. The Patiala ki Rao is no exception.

Various natural processes developed over the years have become a lifeline for natures growthand sustainance. Change of a single factor can affect other processes of the chain which canimbalance the cycle. The monsoons wash away the Raos biowaste and trash (collected over the9 month dry period) and helps replenish the surrounding areas cleanliness until its next cycle.Deforestation, sand mining, and siltation are three very big factors affecting the cycle as well.

Various natural processes associated with the rao are depicted below. Zones along the choeshould be handled very sensitively with stringent development measures especially under thePeriphery Control Act so as to not disrupt such processes in any negative way.

ECOLOGY

DIVYA KUMAR / MAHAVIR SINGH

Water flow in Patiala Ki Rao during

monsoon.

Image : Google map facebook group.

Table showing Water table of the choe varying due to temperature changes throughout the year.

Diagram showing the choe being recharged by natural processes. These combine together to serve the ecosystem in a variety of ways.


10/24XX

Presence of Land banking practices has slowly led to the conversion of a substantial percentage of agricul-tural land as residential land via property dealers. Though a stay by the high court was implemented on anyfurther development from happening along the Patiala Ki Rao, this isnt a deterrent for these property deal-ers to continue making anticipation deals on paper about such lands. It was noticed that by slowly develop-ing a road network from Patiala Ki Rao up to Pinjore, the regions accessibility and proximity to Chandigarhhas started acting as a lucrative investment area for property dealers. Though villages like karoran continueto be self-sustaining, indulging in barters with nearby villages, the time isnt far for such areas to develophaphazardly with a potential to do harm to the ecology. In addition, a more intricate road network is devel-oping specially with bridge development happening along the Rao at various junctions which is a further

cause of worry accessibility attracts investment.

Diagram showing various endowments taking place along the choe throughout the region.

HUMAN INTERVENTION

ROAD NETWORK

BUILT MASS

AGRICULTURAL LAND

SALABLE LAND

SITE CONTEXT


11/24XX

DOCUMENTING PATIALA KI RAO

ONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3



12/24XX

This chapter documents the conditions of Patiala Ki Rao. Consequently Alterations to the initial functions of the choe areslowly transforming the choe. As we move uphill along the choe, the activities taking place that are more sympathetic to theecology. Some of these have affected choes functions and vice versa. The natural environment surrounding the choe and thecity has intermingled with each other. These include agriculture, commercial growth, service oriented growth and trade. Thisplaces further pressure on the choe, disturbing its ecology.

ZONE 4 ZONE 5


13/24XX

ZONE 1


14/24XX

ZONE 2


15/24XX

A water way in the botanical lake helps

channelize excess water of the lake

during monsoons to the choe.

Section showing Patiala Ki Rao nd adjoining areas.

Garbage dump on edge of the choe

along the Road connecting Chandigarh

with Mullanpur.

Patiala Ki Rao nursery is an integral part

of the reserve forest.

Panaromic view of Dhanas Lake bodered by the Patiala Ki Rao reserve forest on two sides.

Analysis of Zone 1

Observations from the city surroundings show that the choe is intersected by Madhya Marg lead-ing up to Mullanpur acting as a junction between the city and peripheral areas. A huge concretebridge spanning over the choe connects this major route where a lot of trade activities betweenthese areas are taking place. A substantial percentage of people from the peripheral villages de-pend on the city for their livelihood. Cultivation of land due to rich soil fertility is their major sourceof income. There are various non sectoral villages with extending developments along the choe.

Patiala Ki Rao reserve forest adjoining the Dhanas lake, an integral part of the city, offers habitatto various species of flora and fauna. Being in proximity to the north-western sectors such as 14and 25, the stretch along Dhanas Lake is used for recreational activities by various age groups ofpeople of the city and Dhanas.

With a purpose to conserve the flora of the region as well as exotic and endangered species,Chandigarh Administration has established a Botanical Garden near village Sarangpur. This gardenspreads over 176 acres of land, connected with the Patiala Ki Rao reserve forest through a cause-way. Patiala-ki-Rao forest spreads over 350 acres of land. This garden when fully developed wouldbe one of the biggest in this region boasting of 15 Botanical Sections. The primary aim of settingup of Botanical Garden is to promote research, education, ex-situ conservation and to spreadawareness about our floral heritage. In addition, the garden would help promote eco-tourism in

Chandigarh.1

A Solar energy park is also being set up at Botanical Garden, Village Sarangpur withassistance from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.2

Recently a botanical garden lake was built with provision for channeling excessive rain water col-lected during the monsoon to Patiala Ki Rao. This section acts as a perfect example to cite the dif-ference in approach of the U.T and the Punjab Govt. The development around the choe has beenhandled sensitively in response to ecology compared to the haphazard development we shall seein the following sections.

1 // Botanical garden 1 march 2014,

.

2 // State level energy park 1 march

2014, .


16/24XX

Analysis of Zone 2

Instances of rapid growth placing extreme pressure on the peripheral areas of UT are visible alongthe choe as one heads up from the UT area towards the Shivaliks of Punjab. This region consists oflarge chunk of agricultural land owned by farmers. They depend on agricultural practices for theirlivelihood. A green belt adjoining UT boundary and parts of Nayagaon was also identified which ishome for a large variety of fauna. But increase in human interference in the area has endangeredtheir natural habitat and is leading to such species having to migrate further uphill.Since some part of the choe also flows through Mohali therefore various encroachments from Mo-

hali are adding to the existing problems. GMADA has identified 606 illegal encroachments whichinclude slums of Dhanas and NAC Nayagaon has 482 informal settlements that rely on the choefor their drainage. Appropriate rules and regulations have recently been passed to demolish thesesettlements as they are posing severe threat to the choe in coming future.

Nayagaon is developed along the choe above the northern periphery and has direct connectivityto the North West areas of the city. Bordered by Rajendra Park on one side it has a population of50,869. Availability of different building materials makes it a crucial trading zone between peopleof the city and the town. Along the choe is a long patch of private plots whose numbers haveincreased substantially by private groups over time. Due to non availability of land in Chandigarh,residential developments have started where different classes of people have been provided af-fordable living. Nayagaon faces a small settlement called Nada (Classified under district Mohali)

on the other side of the choe, considered to be in the forestland of Nayagaon. Various centersbuilt along the choe involve religious and cultural activities. To cite examples, a women sewingtraining center, a gurudwara and a mosque were seen to be heavily visited and used by the local-ities.Recently, storm water management systems have been laid down by Punjab Government in a di-rect response to problems with water disposal that came up over a decade due to lack of drainagesystems and ill maintainance of the open areas. Currently , there still doesnt exist a plan for an ur-ban scale sewage system of these areas. For years people have been depending upon septic tanksfor their sewage disposal. Futher issues of water for domestic purposes are also existent. Afteruse, the grey water of such supplies are restored to the ground via deep dug wells. As a result, thesurrounding areas because of untreated waste have become breeding grounds for insects. Risinglevels of toxicity in the choe are prevalent due to toxic waste being disposed into it. To conclude,Neglected haphazard growth taking place in this region causing damage not just to the public but

the environment as well.

A man practicing animal husbandry in

the middle of the choe..

Drain along the road carrying grey wa-

ter of the village Nada.

Section of Nayagaon and other settlements surrounding the choe.

Signage showing information about

residences and streets in Nayagaon.


17/24XX

ZONE 3


18/24XX

ZONE 4


19/24XX

Analysis of Zone 3

Moving ahead of Nayagaon we see more unauthorized developments existing inside the choe bed.These include temporary as well as permanent ones next to the choe bed. Structures have comeup using some of the local material like gravel, stone, mud etc obtained from the choe during.Foundations are in stone masonry. To minimize the danger from water overflow during monsoonembankments are made along the existing water path.

These settlements show a partial urban character. Application of urban agricultural practices like

kitchen gardens is observed in individual houses. Rear side of these settlements facing the choebed adds to the ugly outlook of this natural component. Due to absence of proper sanitation tem-porary settlements depend on the choe for their sanitation. A change in Land use pattern can beseen while moving across the area. Observations show a kind of eco-tourism being practiced inmidst of the hills. Public areas are being used for resorts, parks which are privately owned. Locationof these spaces was based on the view of the existing natural sight which has been ruined today.Considerable part of adjoining area has been identified as salable land belonging to private devel-opers. Unidentified land on the footsteps of the hills includes forests. Projects by Punjab govern-ment are undergoing to bridge the choe at irregular intervals.

A natural unnamed lake surrounded by hills on all sides was seen to be acting as refuge for wildlifeand a variety of birds. Its steep terrain has so far prevented humans from intervening around the

lake but at the same time is offering scenic natural view of the ecosystem involved. But every posi-tive has a flipside to it. These hill tops were seen to have a lot of liquor bottles and food packaginglittered around.as its slowly become a hotspot for the youth to climb up and relax at night.

Project by Punjab Govt. constructed

over Patiala Ki Rao to connect the city

with villages along the choe.

Natural inaccessible lakes like this act

as home for wildlife.

Section showing Blow up detail of the area along the choe.

Various private lands including resorts and parks offering scenic views of the Sivaliks.

Signage showing activities of the forest

hill resort.


20/24XX

Analysis of Zone 4

The two major tributaries of Patiala ki rao join together to create a flood plain at their junction.Village karoran and tandi extend through these tributaries towards north. Settlements spreadamongst the valleys practice a wide range of agricultural activities sufficient for themselves andtheir remoteness from cities has over time made them self-reliant. Constant recharging of theground water table through rainfall has facilitated the villagers to use this water via wells and tubewells for domestic purposes such as laundry, cleaning, irrigation and cattle feeding.One of the striking feature in the region is how the function of the choe has taken a turn from be-

ing a seasonal rivulet to a passageway for the villagers to pass through their respective areas andconnect with other parts of the region. This is due to absence of road network. The road along thechoe here merges into it. As a result the adjoining developments face trouble during monsoonsdue to water over flow.These settlements have a rural character. Local solutions to sewerage, cooking gas, irrigation, greywater drainage and conveyance are being practiced here. Deep septic tanks and fields are used forsewerage due to lack of sewerage lines, biogas is produced from cow dung pies used for cookingand grey water after use is disposed of into the choe. Agriculture is being practiced to provide foodand fodder for the settlements. Local Animals like donkeys, horses, goats, hens are reared. Horsesand donkeys are used as conveyance and to carry goods. Terrace farming and cattle grazing is theirmajor occupation. Thus these settlements depend mostly on local materials for livelihood.Wide range of socio-cultural activities is visible in the region. Places of religious interests like

gurudwaras, temples and mosques exist in the settlements. People own camels which have beenused in the cultural fairs of Chandigarh to enhance tourism and cultural activities of the city. It animportant feature of cultural connectivity between the city and the area. Small water bodies areused for recreational activities like fishing.Thus a symbiotic relation exists between these settlements as they depend on each other forsustainance.

Rural character of the settlements de-

veloped along Patiala Ki Rao.

Wells recharged by the choe being used

for irrigation and feeding cattle.

Camel riding towards Chandigarh

owned by the villagers.

Section with the Blow up detail of the area along the choe.


21/24XXXX

ZONE 5


22/24XX

Analysis of Zone 5

Lying in the dense forests of Sivalik hills this zone are very ecologically sensitive zone. The choeoriginating in the steep slopes of the hills undergoes siltation. Step terrace farming and animalhusbandry are being practiced majorly in response to steep slopes and undulating terrains.Forests are home to a wide range of wildlife. Various water bodies obtained by the choe serve theinhabitants of Sivaliks. Variety of flora and fauna are found in the hills. There are wide variety oftrees, shrubs, herbs, grasses and climbers. Prominent among them are Dalbergia sisoo (Shisham),Anogeissus latifolia (Chhal), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Bombax ceiba, Emblica officinalis (Amla),

Morus alba (Tut), Lannea grandis (Jhingan), Diospyros montana (Kendu), Murraya koenigii (Karipatta), Prosopis juliflora (Musket), Cassia fistula (Amaltas) and Abrus precatorious (Rati).Mammals include porcupines, swamp deer, pigs, muntjacs, jungle cat, squirrel, monkeys, Indianhare etc. Peacocks, bats, ducks, crows, owls, parrots, cuckoos, hawks, koel, bulbul are prominentspecies of birds found here.

XX

Flora and Fauna comprise a sensitive

part of the Sivalik Hills.

Peacock playing in the terrains of the

Sivaliks.

Section of the valleys of the Sivaliks uphill.

Ecologically sensitive zone of the Sivaliks with variety of flora extending up the hills.


23/24XX

SUMMATION


To sum it up, the lesser we interfere with nature, greater are its chances of maintaining its char-acter. A river naturally flows as long as its natural course remains unaltered. Our study concludedthat the recent interventions are affecting the river for the worse and these remain unchecked dueto its low magnitude of scale. But multiply such interventions by two and the need to revitalize theriver wont be far. As the simplest of sayings go-Prevention is better than cure. Keeping riversidedevelopments under surveillance and check is the need of an hour to ensure, that in the future too,its ecology remains intact. The ecological potential of Patiala Ki Rao needs to be conserved thanto be exploited. There is no harm in sensitively approached development happening in parts alongthe river as long as it can be ensured that keeping all stakeholders in consideration, the river andits relative ecology is maintained in balance.

All elements of our study- the river, the ecology, hydrology, agro-practices, land as an asset (bothcommercial and residential point of view), settlements and their waste disposal have a certain

degree of impact on the city. The need to establish these relationships by the authorities in a moredetailed and sophisticated method is of utmost importance. Proper research and establishment ofall symbiotic relations of each element is needed so that a suitable master plan of the choe can beestablished (after assessing all pros and cons of every implied government decision).The choe serves multiple purpose from its origin till its termination and hence its surroundingscannot be designed in a particular way. Designs and proposals need to reflect the character of theparticular zone in question and cannot be imposed on Patiala Ki Rao as a whole. It is imperativethat the choes immediate surroundings and its adjacent zones should be considered while pro-posing and designing not just at a micro scale but urban scale too. No design should be allowed totake place without knowing the consequences it can have on the flow of the river further downhill,on its ecology on the character of its neighborhood.

In the scope of the study we conducted, areas around the Botanical Garden, Dhanas Lake, Chan-digarh-Mullanpur Bridge, Nayagaons green belt, un built property lands near the resorts, showedpotential improvement while rest of the areas showed unique characters which are worth pre-serving with minimal or no design interventions. However, no design intervention does not meanthat conservation is not required. Certain policy changes are required to ensure that lands worthsafeguarding remain intact over time.

There is a need for already constructed properties to be reviewed. Two resorts were seen con-structed towards the end of nayagaon. Both were drastically opposite in their approach. One was

jutting out of its surroundings rather than blending in. A motive to set in with the natural scenerywe thought was lacking. The design of its structure and landscaping was more commercial thansensitive. On the other hand, a sensitively constructed eco-resort, Ground Zero, completely blend-ed with the Sivaliks. It existed parallel to the forest hill resort which built all vernacular structuresutilizing existing trees and establishing a character synonymous to the Sivaliks with access via asingle wooden bridge. It today serves as a model for the localities as to how sensitive built formscan be built. This makes us think about the need for a balance between the natural environmentand the built environment of such commercial zones. The way the first project of an area is builtsets the standards to how things likely to be built around that zone in future and hence, it is veryimportant for such resorts, commercial and residential projects to remain as simple and sensitiveas possible.

In time, the tri-city metropolitan region is expected to grow exponentially. With growth, ecologicalzones such as Patiala Ki Rao, will become scarce resources. Amongst these, the Patiala Ki Rao isone resource, which doesnt just need but demands that its character be maintained..


24/24

A Special Proposal

Such areas with special bye laws could function as an architectural lab for others to learn fromand experiment. This will not only help the local dwellings to learn from but give Chandigarh andother cities a space to study certain types of built methodology. A 50 year old Corbusiers idea hastoday turned out to be a tourist attraction and case study for researchers around the world andto maintain this balance, further innovation can only be possible if such a space is granted to thetricity, states of Punjab and Haryana so that architects around India can come here and collectively

come up with sustainable design solutions for cities. Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana can laterboast of researches and innovations for the world to follow rather than vice versa. Its need is thereas even though Chandigarh is on the map of architecture, it lacks a vision of research. It continuesto put in systems already existent in other green cities rather than generate its own system andarchitecture for others to copy. Since Corbusier and Nek Chand, very little has been done to set anexample for the world to learn from

We believe that land pockets near Patiala ki Rao which we found to be un built property lands can-not afford to be privatized and should rather be used as an innovative architecture hub maintainedby the government. The government found this land fit for solar plant because those patches werethought to be of little or no use for anything else. Why not develop those stretches as an exper-imental space for architecture just like Nek Chand used government land for his experiments?

There could be lands not for sale, but where anyone can build anything and have it documented tobe displayed in the Museum of Knowledge once it comes up. Materials reused, mixed and matchedcould prove well for architecture, to the city and people around by teaching them how to buildsensitively.

Experimentation of spaces in asustainable and innovative way

preservign the ecology at the

same time.

patiala ki rao

Documents