Hyderabadis must do their bit to save the city

Gone are the days when water was sprinkling out from the earth surface in Hyderabad. Dr H N Rao reminisces, some thirty years back Hyderabad had multiple springs and it was a paradise on earth. Grapevines, mango orchards, clean air, clean water and thick vegetation had enriched the living condition of people. Things were smooth until the late 80s. When global trade picked up, it had monetized everything. The quality of life has deteriorated since then. A crass culture has replaced the rich Hyderabadi culture which had once promoted classical dance, music and good social behavior. Restoring the lost glory of Hyderabad would be a big challenge.

There is need for reverse migration from city to villages. For that the basic amenities in villages have to improve. The main ingredient for improving the village life and livelihood is water. But over exploitation of water in villages always push the water table down. Many of the districts in undivided Andhra Pradesh face man made water crisis due to over exploitation of water. In Chittoor district each family is having an average two bore wells. Economically vibrant Chittoor is pushed into a water scarce district due to over exploitation of water. Similarly Adilabad district will soon plunge into another man made crisis due to over exploitation of ground water which has gone 200 feet deeper in the last ten years. There is an urgent need to ban bore well in the areas where huge amount is spent on water harvesting. It is estimated that more people will migrate to Hyderabad for livelihood in the next few years.

If water table rises it could recharge the life force in villages. People will have multiple crops and surplus income to send their children to good schools and get quality health care. There is need for an all-out war to save water in villages so that people will not migrate to Hyderabad for small jobs. The illiterate and unskilled people have no other option but to live like animals in big city. So the focus should be on village which will ultimately save Hyderabad from further deterioration.

The actual damage to the city’s water, air and natural capital has to be scientifically assessed by experts. Media should examine the cause of damage to natural capital in the city and suggest innovative solution to save Hyderabad. Instead of creating unnecessary hype about the city the media should go extra miles to save the city from further deterioration. The actual health cost due to poor natural capital and the incremental cost should be calculated. The cost of buying water, the cost of treatment for heart and lungs related diseases, jaundice, TB and skin diseases have to be calculated. The loss of precious life due to H1 N1 is inestimable. The rate of increase in patients speaks a volume about the quality of air and water in Hyderabad. Damage to natural capital in the city is manmade and it should be prevented with strong regulation. Plastic should be totally banned in the city. In place of plastic, jute, paper, coir and cloth bags should be introduced. This will generate employment for thousands of people. Instead of shedding crocodile tear on poor people the government should create employment opportunity for people. Malls selling plastic bags should be penalized. Plastic bag was one of the main reasons for the death of 400 people in the 2005 heavy rain in Mumbai.

The city authority should ensure one public playground for 5000 population. Sixty percent people in India meet premature deaths due to lifestyle diseases which happen due to lack of physical activities. The percentage is alarmingly more in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore. People here need good health to be at their productive best. Hyderabad is known for badminton game. Unfortunately the city is unable to provide quality coaches to aspiring young players. Badminton has become increasingly commercialized and is no longer inclusive. As a result many young talents wither in the bud due to lack of coaching facility.

The city authorities have to work hard to improve the sanitation of the city. In the absence of public urinals, people use walls and old buildings for the purpose. There is no water to clean the wash rooms in public places and schools. Hyderabad has to save every rain drop to survive.

In the peak hour between 6 PM to 8 PM the road from Secunderabad to Begumpet have too much of vehicles. It happens in many other roads. And the vehicle pollution is so high that it could spread diseases like epidemic. Every day young children, old and middle aged people breathe in black toxic air. The city authorities have to be active to save life and prevent the slow deaths of millions of people who are exposed to air pollution. Instead of depending on government the residents must do something for their betterment. They can create awareness about environment pollution. They can go in pool car to save the air. The government should declare cycle day on every Friday which will take all the automobiles off the roads. On that day everybody should come by cycle or by public transport. Public money should be spent on needful infrastructures only and politicians who have got mandate to serve public as jan sevaks should not squander away the opportunity to serve people.

By Sudhansu R Das