Birds back at Hauz-e-Shamsi after ASI cleans up reservoir

"Four to five pairs of common mooorhen and 15-20 ducks have arrived here after ages"

An earlier image of Hauz-e-Shamsi, which the locals had used as a garbage dump yard.

The Archaeological Survey of India-protected historical reservoir Hauz-e-Shamsi at the Qutub Complex in Mehrauli is seeing a pleasant arrival of Himalayan water bird common moorhen, popularly known as Jal Murgi, and local ducks are swimming in its waters these days.

An ASI representative of the Delhi (Mehrauli) Circle said, “Four to five pairs of common mooorhen and 15-20 ducks have arrived here after ages. Though a couple of moorhen was seen here last year, this time they are swarming one portion of the Hauz-e-Shamsi, which has been cleaned in the past one-and-a-half months. We cleaned the algae and silt (vegetation growth) from the edges, which was deposited here for over 25-30 years.”

Distinctly, the arrival of these water birds have to do with Hauz-e-Shamsi’s cleanliness since these birds flock only in clean water. Their presence has also resulted in a continuous flow of visitors. Earlier, the hauz was a filthy sight; the locals would throw their garbage in it.

The 35,000-sq m Hauz-e-Shamsi was built by Illtutmish in 1230 CE. According to legend, he saw a vision of the Prophet Muhammad asking him build a reservoir in the area.

The hauz is slanted, therefore, as the representative says, is dangerous to clean unless done manually. People living in slums close by throw glass bottles due to which the workers have been wounded and they were given gum boots, plastic wears, etc. After one part was cleaned, the representative also requested for some boats from Purana Qila officials as an experiment to woo visitors. But the locals started using the boat without seeking permission from ASI officials. So, “for the time being, we have kept the boats at Jahaz Mahal (located at Hauz-e-Shami’s eastern edge, built for the pilgrims as a lodge in the 16{+t}{+h}Century during the Lodi Dynasty). We will facilitate boating here soon after seeking official permission,” the official said.

Interestingly, the staff of the ASI led by Sumat Dogra at the Qutub Complex, had visited the Residential Welfare Association of the area to garner support to keep the hauz clean. It bore results.

The residents of the societies have joined hands in guarding the reservoir by taking turns. “Even women have come forward to guard the area on Saturdays and Sundays for the whole day. A police check post has also been erected to avoid anti-social elements.

The representatives of complex claim that the local people show more interest than the police personnel deployed for the job. The boats now read a caution note that anyone seen dirtying the hauz would be fined Rs. 5000. “Ït has resulted in thinning of garbage-spilling incidents by 90 per cent – a trick that worked instantly than any punishment so far,” the caretakers claim gleefully.