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Citizens bring back a lake to life
The Neknampur Lake is the tail part of Ibrahim Cheruvu opposite the historic Taramati Baradari is now brimming with 150 species of birds, monitor lizards, snakes, African snails, India terrapins, lizards and the rare Eurasian Wryneck but just a year ago, the lake resembled a dump yard.
The Neknampur Lake is the tail part of Ibrahim Cheruvu opposite the historic Taramati Baradari is now brimming with 150 species of birds, monitor lizards, snakes, African snails, India terrapins, lizards and the rare Eurasian Wryneck but just a year ago, the lake resembled a dump yard.
Thanks to tree plantation, fencing on one side of the shoreline, regular monitoring and awareness programmes including the involvement of 40 schools, the lake is now brought back to life.
Madhulika S Choudary, a professor of computer engineering who is leading the lake rejuvenation project says, “If the HMDA and GHMC provide funds, this lake which is the only one close to the historic Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs can be turned into a major tourist attraction. Our request for Rs 24 lakh funds to clean the water hyacinth that is spread in 80 acres has fallen on deaf ears.”
Once a freshwater lake, it is now polluted with sewage flowing in from Durgam cheruvu to Malkam cheruvu entering the lake. Madhulika believes that setting up STPs would not be of much use as the water would not be used for drinking purpose.
“Sewage water is nothing but high content of nitrogen and phosphorus which increases production of algae. Domestic waste increases nitrogen and phosphorus which increases growth of aquatic plants. Safeguarding the biodiversity would help keep the aquatic animals and birds,” says Madhulika.
Being the only lake close to the Taramati Baradari, the lake has the potential to attract tourists but the government needs to provide funds said Mahesh, a volunteer. Representations have been given to the GHMC and HMDA for floating solar power plant, craft from water hyacinth and biological STP.
Presently, volunteers make a trip every day to the lake and oversee the labourers who would be watering the plants for a period of six months, thanks to the largesse of the district collector.
Impressed by the work, HMDA gave a DUC machine to clear the water hyacinth but the lake restoration committee would have to bear the cost. Madhulika says that raising Rs 24 lakh is tough. “We have not lost hope and have been knocking the doors of all departments.”
By T P Venu
