HYDERABAD: Overflowing and foul-smelling sewage, hazardous materials, weeds and shrubs, all infested with disease-causing mosquitoes. This is the state of most of the lakes in Greater Hyderabad, causing untold hardships to residents living near them.
According to official statistics, there are about 169 lakes under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits and about 300 under Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits. While most part of these lakes and water bodies are encroached, the remaining have been contaminated causing severe problems to the residents in areas surrounding the lakes.
“The lakes in the city are completely neglected. The sewage from surrounding colonies is let out into the lakes. In case of Nacharam lake (Pedda Cheruvu), even industrial effluents are let into lake. Sewage and hazardous materials seep into the ground and contaminate the groundwater in the area.
Besides, mosquitoes have become uncontrollable, as the lake has turned a breeding ground,” complained K Babu Rao, a resident of East Kalyanpuri, Uppal.
Due to contamination of Nacharam lake, colonies in the area like North Kalyanpuri, Giri Colony, Balaji Colony, Chilukanagar, parts of Uppal are affected.
Similar complaints echo across residents staying near hundreds of small and big water bodies in Hyderabad. While HMDA is entrusted with the protection of lakes, GHMC is responsible for addressing the mosquito menace.
“RK Puram lake is completely filled with sewage, weeds and shrubs. No steps are taken to stop the sewage flowing into it. Earlier, officials used to clean it periodically. But for the past two years, not even once was cleaning done. As a result, bad odour is emanating from the lake infested with mosquitoes. GHMC officials should at least take up fogging in areas surrounding lakes to counter mosquitoes,” said GV Rao general secretary of Greater Alwal Allied Service Association (GAASA).
Though government has been making ambitious statements about cleaning the Hussainsagar, the situation prevailing in areas around smaller lakes such as Ramanthapur lake, Uppal lake, Banjara lake, Pragatinagar lake, Langerhouse lake, Saroornagar lake is very pathetic and needs much to be done. While GHMC officials have been taking up lake cleaning efforts at China Rayuni Chervu, Mir Alam Tank, Shaikpet lake among others, they are not being able to control the mosquito problem.
“As sewage is let out directly into the lakes, most of them are filled with sludge, weeds and hyacinth. Though it is not our duty and highly difficult, we are cleaning some lakes and using mosquito spray in the surrounding areas. Mosquito problem is existing only in lakes where there is severe contamination. Wherever lakes are clean, there are no mosquitoes. Unless inflow of sewage into lakes is controlled, we cannot completely get rid of mosquitoes”, said a senior official of GHMC.
February, March and April are the months when the mosquito problem will be at its peak and we have even increased staff for taking up cleaning works at lakes to contain mosquitoes, said a GHMC official.
Right now, 125 fogging machines are being used in GHMC limits and but these machines are insufficient to cater to the needs of Hyderabad’s population.
Therefore, residents are demanding to take up cleaning up of lakes immediately and take measures which will provide a permanent solution.
“Cleaning up of lakes should be taken up on priority basis, as mosquitoes and ground water contamination have become major problems in all areas of Hyderabad. Instead of just focusing on Hussain Sagar lake, Government should focus on small and big water bodies spread all over the city, as many people reside around them. Restoration of city lakes should also be taken up under Mission Kakatiya programme,” urged Dr Rao VBJ Chelikani, President of United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (UFERWAS), Hyderabad.