The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Restored Safilguda lake `dying'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Restored Safilguda lake `dying'

Staff Reporter

Several regular visitors from all age-groups voiced their concern over the stench and neglect of upkeep of the park

CRYING FOR ATTENTION: The Safilguda lake which was a picture of tranquility has lost its sheen, thanks to official apathy. — File Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: Are the efforts of HUDA in restoring some highly polluted lakes and beautifying lake surroundings being undone due to lack of proper monitoring?

The signs of neglect are apparent at Safilguda lake park, one of the first highly polluted lakes restored by HUDA under the Conservation and Restoration Project of Green Hyderabad Environment Programme four years ago. Several regular visitors from all age-groups voiced their concern over the stench and neglect of upkeep of the park.

Quality water

HUDA restored 42 polluted lakes so far by constructing bunds to prevent encroachment of lake bed area and diverting the untreated sewage from the surrounding colonies away from the lakes with the objective of recharging ground water with good quality water. Seven highly polluted lakes like Safilguda were also provided with Sewage Treatment Plants to treat sewage before letting into the lake and diversion channels were laid to carry the surplus sewage to the down stream.

After restoration, Safilguda lake park became popular community asset as the mini tank bund of Malkajgiri area providing the much needed lung space for the residents of nearby colonies.

Blue-green algae

Thus taking a serious view of complaints about stench and poor upkeep of the lake area, HUDA officials who inspected the park last week concluded that the spread of blue-green algae in the lake, a seasonal growth noticed in summer months, was the cause of the stench and initiated measures to clear the algal growth. "It is the same growth that is noticed even in Hussainsagar and it is being removed," said K.S. Reddy, Executive Director, Urban Forestry.

Once the algae is removed, it would also be investigated to find out if any untreated sewage was finding its way into the lake , said Chief Engineer Vivek Deshmukh.

It is the responsibility of the local municipality to ensure that all the houses were connected to the sewer network to prevent seepage of untreated sewage into the lake, officials said. A joint inspection with Additional Municipal Commissioner was also scheduled.

To check littering the park with waste, more bins would be placed and canteen contractor and women groups who sell snacks were sensitised to keep the park premises clean, Mr. Reddy said.

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