5,000 marathon to save Gangaram lake in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Instead of waiting for the government to act, over 1,200 people from 132 societies held a 5K run to focus attention on the dying 111-acre Gangaram lake in Serilingampally, on Sunday.

“Until last year, people would drain fresh water away and there were some encroachments. The lake area has shrunk and untreated waste is being left into the lake,” said Mr Krishna Kaza, founder of the Gangaram Lake Restoration Foundation. 

“The GHMC is supporting us with equipment and material to save the lake. We started a colony community for this very purpose, to work with the government instead of complaining,” said Ms Sireesha, a resident of Lake Breeze Apartment.

“The community should draw up a two year plan and seek help whenever required. Let this be a model of how people and governments can work together,” said TRS MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy. The event which was attended by local legislator A. Gandhi as well. 

The foundation is looking forward to constructing a walking track, clear the hyacinth and divert the untreated sewerage. 

“Since the cost of setting up a sewerage treatment plant is high, we are in talks with experts from JNTU who would build a natural filter with rocks, mesh and charcoal to filter the plastics and toxins,” said Mr Sai Prasad, a volunteer. The community is trying to fetch corporate social responsibility funding to restore the lake. 

“Since January the community has been trying to clean the lake and raise awareness which has deterred many from throwing waste into this lake,” said Mr Nikhil Suluru, a volunteer.