An initiative to restore the lakes in Hyderabad to their former glory has been launched by the city-based NGO Dha3r. The project involves setting up artificial floating treatment wetlands (FTW) at Ramanthapur Chinna Cheruvu and Mansoorabad Pedda Cheruvu in collaboration with the Hyderabad Runner Society. These FTWs play a vital role in purifying the lakes by absorbing excess nitrates and oxygen, reducing the levels of these chemicals and cleaning the water. Currently, most of the lakes in the city are surrounded by trash, water hyacinth, and sewage waste, which pose a significant threat to aquatic life.
Manoj Vidiyala, Co-founder of Dha3R NGO, explained that many lakes in the city are neglected and becoming cesspools due to sewage water diversion into the lakes, causing algae growth that depletes oxygen levels and threatens aquatic life. To counter this problem, artificial floating wetlands have been set up at Ramanthapur Chinna Cheruvu and Mansoorabad Pedda Cheruvu. The Ramanthapur Chinna Cheruvu FTW has around 190 medicinal plant species, while Mansoorabad Pedda Cheruvu FTW has around 100 plants. The FTW is based on the soil-less hydroponics technique and comprises four layers, including floatable bamboo, Styrofoam cubicles, gunny bags, and gravel. Hydroponics allows plants to grow only on sunlight and water, making it an eco-friendly way of cleaning the lakes.
In addition to setting up FTWs, Dha3r has also installed exclusive bins for pooja waste. The bins are placed next to a goddess portrait to ensure that they are used only for pooja waste that will later be composted. Overall, this initiative is set to give city lakes a fresh lease of life and help restore the aquatic ecosystem.
