Hyderabad tank bund lake
By Narmada*
Hyderabad has around 184 lakes, with Hussain Sagar and Osman Sagar being the largest. The total water spread area of Hyderabad lakes is approximately 12,000 hectares. The total storage capacity of Hyderabad lakes is around 137 million cubic meters. Many Hyderabad lakes suffer from pollution, with high levels of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids).
Encroachments and unauthorized constructions have reduced the water spread area and storage capacity of many lakes. Most Hyderabad lakes receive stormwater runoff and sewage as inflows, while outflows are often blocked or restricted, leading to waterlogging and flooding. Siltation and sedimentation have reduced the storage capacity and water quality of many lakes. Efforts are being made to rejuvenate and restore Hyderabad lakes, including desilting, dredging, and wastewater treatment.
Hyderabad lakes play a crucial role in recharging groundwater, regulating floods, and maintaining the local hydrological balance. Many Hyderabad lakes are biodiversity hotspots, supporting a wide range of aquatic life, including migratory birds, fish, and other species.
As someone who started thinking and dedicatedly working towards water conservation, I have witnessed the devastating impact of encroachments on our lakes, rivers, and streams. Hence, I feel happy to see the Telangana government’s recent proactive approach in tackling the encroachment of water bodies. By granting powers to HYDRA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection), the state has taken a significant step towards preserving its precious water resources.
With its newfound powers, HYDRA can effectively monitor and protect water bodies, prevent encroachments, and take swift action against those who dare to harm our environment. This is a significant victory for all of us who have been fighting to save our water bodies.
The government’s decision to empower HYDRA is a beacon of hope for all those who care about Telangana’s environment and future. Empowering HYDRA means ensuring a safer, more sustainable future for generations to come. This motivates us to continue to work together to protect Telangana’s water bodies and preserve their natural beauty. A greener, more sustainable tomorrow now looks possible by protecting and preserving the water bodies in the state by establishing clear boundaries, buffer areas, and display boards, and ensuring their sustainability and ecological integrity.
The following are the guidelines:
- Boundary Fencing: Install proper boundary fencing around each water body to prevent encroachments and unauthorized access. Fencing material should be durable and resistant to weather conditions.
- FTL (Full Tank Level) Marking: Mark the FTL level on the water body’s boundary to indicate the maximum water storage capacity. Use visible and durable markings to ensure longevity.
- Buffer Area Marking: Demarcate a buffer area around each water body to protect its ecosystem and prevent pollution. Buffer area width should be a minimum of 10 meters.
- Display Board: Install a display board at a prominent location near each water body, providing the following information: Total extent of the water body (in hectares or acres)Water body name and identification number.Buffer area details. FTL level marking. The display board should be weather-resistant and easily readable.
The above can be achieved by conducting a comprehensive survey of all water bodies in the state to identify boundaries, FTL levels, and buffer areas. Installing boundary fencing, FTL markings, and buffer area markings within 6 months of survey completion.
What is required is:
- Installing display boards within 3 months of boundary fencing completion and regularly inspecting and maintaining boundary fencing, FTL markings, buffer areas, and display boards.
- Monitoring and Enforcement: Establish a monitoring committee to ensure compliance with this policy. Conduct regular inspections to detect encroachments, pollution, or damage to water bodies. Take prompt action against violators, including legal proceedings if necessary.
- Funding: Allocate sufficient funds for survey, boundary fencing, FTL marking, buffer area marking, and display board installation. Explore external funding sources, such as government grants or environmental organizations, to support water body protection efforts.
- Warning Signs: Install clear warning signs along the boundary fencing, indicating that tampering or touching the fence is strictly prohibited.
- Hydra’s Warning: Hydra should issue a public warning, stating that anyone found touching or tampering with the fence will face severe consequences, including Legal action, huge Fines, Community service, Public shaming
- Surveillance: Install CCTV cameras along the boundary fencing to monitor and detect any unauthorized access or tampering.
Immediate Action: Hydra should take immediate action against anyone found violating the policy, including reporting to authorities and pressing charges. - Public Awareness Campaign: Conduct educational programmes to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving water bodies and the consequences of tampering with the fence. Utilize social media platforms to disseminate information and warnings about the policy. Collaborate with local authorities to ensure enforcement and support for the pol
- Demolition Debris Removal: Identify areas around the lakes with demolition debris and encroachments. Remove all demolition debris and encroachments, restoring the original boundaries of the lakes. Ensure proper disposal of debris, following environmental regulations.
- Debris Recycling and Reuse: Segregate demolition debris into categories (e.g., concrete, metal, wood, plastic) for recycling and reuse. Establish or partner with recycling facilities to process debris into reusable materials. Encourage the use of recycled materials in construction projects, reducing the demand for virgin resources. Explore innovative solutions for debris reuse, such as converting concrete into artificial reefs or using plastic waste for road construction. Educate and involve local communities in debris recycling and reuse efforts, promoting environmental awareness and ownership. Offer economic incentives for contractors and builders who use recycled materials in their projects. Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of debris recycling and reuse programmes, making adjustments as needed. By incorporating debris recycling and reuse into the policy, HYDRA can reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainable practices in the community.
- STP Plant Maintenance: Attach pollution boards to HYDRA, responsible for monitoring and maintaining STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) facilities. Conduct regular inspections of STP plants to ensure proper functioning and maintenance. Impose penalties on STP plant operators for non-compliance with pollution regulations. Educate the public about the importance of proper STP plant maintenance and the impact of pollution on lake ecosystems.
- Revival of Lakes: Undertake desilting and dredging of lakes to restore their original depth and capacity. Regularly monitor water quality, addressing any pollution or contamination issues. Introduce native aquatic species to restore the ecological balance of the lakes. Engage local communities in lake revival efforts, promoting ownership and stewardship. By incorporating these measures, HYDRA can effectively address pollution and debris issues, reviving the lakes and ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
- By implementing the above policy, we can protect and preserve our precious water bodies for future generations.
As I celebrate this victory in Telangana, I envision a future where this model of environmental protection is replicated across India and the world. Let HYDRA’s success be a beacon of hope for all those fighting to preserve their natural resources. May this initiative inspire other states and countries to empower their own disaster response and asset protection agencies, to safeguard their water bodies, forests, and wildlife. Let us strive for a world where environmental protection is a top priority, where governments, organizations, and individuals work together to preserve the beauty and wonder of our planet.
The legacy of HYDRA’s work in Telangana must live on, inspiring a global movement towards a more sustainable, environmentally conscious future. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a greener tomorrow for all.”
*Water activist and National Convenor of a water conservation group, Yuva Jal Biradari. The views expressed are personal
Being a citizen of hyderabad I was so shocked when whole state is drown in floods,I can observe that gandipet water level is not at all increased that worried me bcoz it is water body which serves the city with drinking water their is no inflow due to all illegal constructions I heartfelt appreciate to hydra, moreover hydra shouldn’t be effected by any of the dignitaries, our nature is our future generations future
Narmada,
A good article covering the information about number of lakes , and extent of area. The action required suggestions is also very well detailed. We all support Hydra and the TS Govt actions in preserving the lakes. It is unfortunate that the previous Govt., did not take actions on lakes encroachment by various people and the organisations. The greedy People and the organisations have given up the morals and ethics by encroaching the lakes and these are unpardonable, and they need to be punished. Hydra actions will deter the people not to do so in future.