HYDERABAD: The HUDA and the World Wide Fund (WWF)-Nature State office signed an MoU for undertaking a comprehensive bio-diversity study of the Hussainsagar on Friday as part of World Wetlands Day celebrations. Speaking at the celebrations alongside the `stinking' lake on the Necklace road, HUDA Vice-Chairman Jayesh Ranjan said that it was not Government agencies alone but NGOs, individuals from different sectors, school children and the public should join the effort to protect and conserve the lakes and wetlands.

Under the Rs.300-crore JBIC-aided lake improvement programme, construction of STPs, dredging of lakebed and laying of sewerage lines would be taken up and completed in three years.

Lake restoration

HUDA Chairman D. Sudheer Reddy said work on lake restoration would commence in March. For decades, industrial effluents and domestic sewage from colonies were being let into the lake. As a result, ground water in the vicinity of the lake was polluted, he noted.

WWF State chapter Chairman Anil Kumar Epur said 154 countries were part of Ramsar (Iran) convention of 1971 for conservation of wetlands. India has 25 wetlands like Kolleru. Wetlands are eco-systems of biodiversity supporting birds, mammals and aquatic life; serve as source of food, natural resources and balance ground water levels.

Nagababu, president of the Movie Artistes' Association and founder of Eco Friends organisation, was the chief guest and administered oath to school children to protect environment. Special posters to mark the occasion were released. Pollution was spreading like cancer and every one should do their bit to counter it, he observed.

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