A survey of the Sukhna Lake catchment was conducted today to find ways of saving the lake from drying up. The reservoirs in the catchment wildlife sanctuary were inspected and it was suggested that pits be dug up near the trough area in the catchment to ascertain the amount of water present. Prof S S Grewal, chairman of the Society for Promotion and Conservation of Environment (SPACE), inspected the area along with officials. SPACE had earlier conducted a study of the catchment area, suggesting that there was enough water there to help overcome the shortage in the lake due to which it was drying up. But the mechanism to get the water to the lake was to be found out. A few sites where pits around on to one and a half metre deep could be dug up were identified. By measuring the speed at which the water fills up the pit and then how much water can be drawn from it using an engine, the amount of water available in the trough area would be measured. There are around 150 water bodies in the catchment area. Causeways have been constructed near most of these. When the water bodies fill up, the overflowing water enters the lake. But it was found that when constructed, some of the causeways did not have pipes that could help transport water. These were installed at some places. The causeways had water around 20 days back too. Prof Grewal said that even in conditions like those at present when rainfall has been less than normal, water is available in the catchment area. “As part of a preliminary study to ascertain the amount of water, pits would be dug up. Attempts would be made to complete this before rainfalls set in. There is sufficient water in the catchment area even in these months. It would be ascertained if the water can be transported to the lake,” he explained. During the checks, it was also found that in the reservoirs where the quantity of water was reducing, weeds had started growing. Sukhna Lake has been drying up rapidly. The current weather conditions have added to the woes as there has been no rainfall this year. Ways are now being explored to bring about an improvement in the situation. Desilting of the lake is also being carried out.