Encroachments reduce inflows of lakes

 

C. Ramachandraiah of the Centre for Economic and Social Studies  Hyderabad in a report titled, ‘Impact of Urban Sprawl on Water Bodies in Hyderabad’ analysed the rainfall and inflow patterns into the reservoirs over a 36-year period between 1961 and 1996. 

 

“In the first 18 years, both water bodies reached full reservoir levels 10 times (Osmansagar) and 11 times (Himayatsagar). But in the next 18 years, Osmansagar got full only five times and Himayatsagar six times, even though the rainfall was more or less the same during the period,” the report stated.

 

The study concluded that both reservoirs will go completely dry by 2036 and 2040. In the best-case scenario, the reservoirs will provide polluted water to Hyderabad. The decreased inflow to the reservoirs is being attributed to the reduced catchment area of the two lakes.

 

M. Veda Kumar, president, Forum for Better Hyderabad (FBH) said, “Though the Supreme Court in 2006 directed the government to form a body to protect the two reservoirs, the government formed a committee only in 2007. The committee has been powerless in preventing illegal constructions despite several representations. As a result the sewerage outflow from the residential areas has been flowing openly into the reservoirs.”

 

He added, “It is time that the government form a body as per the directions of the court and implement all the conditions of the GO 111.”