Hyderabad Lake Turns into Polluted Pool
A 150-year-old manmade lake in Hyderabad’s Public Garden has become a polluted pool, filled with green algae and emitting a foul smell. This environmental issue has raised serious concerns among visitors and morning walkers who frequent the area.
In response to the lake’s worsening condition, a group of morning walkers submitted written complaints to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB). They urged the board to investigate the pollution and sewage contamination affecting the lake. The pollution poses health risks to the more than 5,000 daily visitors, including walkers, dignitaries, and MLCs, who frequent the Public Garden.
Locals claim that the lake’s maintenance is handled by several government departments, including the Horticulture Department, HMDA, HMWSSB, and GHMC. However, the departments often pass responsibility to one another when complaints arise. This lack of coordination has allowed the lake’s condition to worsen. Outdated and faulty sewerage lines, some of which were once connected to Hussain Sagar, have contributed to the pollution. Sewage leaks from broken manholes, pipelines, and drains have turned the lake’s water green and black, killing aquatic life and spreading a foul odour.
Residents believe that restoring the lake through rainwater harvesting is the only long-term solution. By creating water harvesting pits, rainwater can be directed into the lake, preventing it from drying out during the summer months. This would not only improve water quality and replenish groundwater levels but also reduce dependency on external water sources. Mohammed Abid Ali, a regular walker, shared his concerns, stating, “The lake’s condition is getting worse daily, making it hard for walkers to pass through. The water is greenish, the inlets and outlets are damaged, and dead fish have been floating in the lake over the past few days.”
Neglecting the lake could also worsen the effects of local climate change, such as rising temperatures and disrupted weather patterns. By reviving the lake, the government can address these challenges while demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability. Installing filtration systems, building rainwater recharge pits, and ensuring regular maintenance are critical steps to restore the lake, said Abid.
Another walker, K. Vidhyadhar, expressed frustration over the lack of action. “We’ve raised this issue with the concerned departments many times, but nothing has been done. Their negligence has turned this water body into a threat for morning walkers and visitors,” he said.
Immediate intervention is needed to address the pollution and restore the lake to its former state, ensuring the health and well-being of the Public Garden’s visitors and the surrounding environment.
