HMDA's lakefront park against Supreme Court order

Hyderabad: A fresh controversy concerning the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is brewing with environmentalists claiming that the construction of a theme park in the eco-conservation zone near Jalavihar on the Necklace Road will displace about 35 bird species and also disturb the bio-diversity of the area. 

HMDA has recently proposed construction of a lakefront park near Jalavihar on 10 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. According to one of its officials, the theme park is under the shoreline improvement initiative, and HMDA has identified the land between Jalavihar and PV Ghat near Hussainsagar lake for developing the park. 

It will be equipped with elevated walkways, underpass, glass deck, lakeside deck, and children's play area, etc. A Mumbai based consultancy has already prepared a detailed project report for the park and submitted the same to the HMDA.

The Supreme Court in an order has clearly mentioned that the state government should not take up any development activities around the Hussainsagar lake as it would disturb the biodiversity, said environ-ment expert B V Subba Rao.  

“The government, violating the apex court's order, has proposed to construct the theme park attracting contempt of court. The court has also ruled that the Chief Secretary will be held responsible if its orders are violated,” he said.  

Mr Rao said that the HMDA was constructing the lakefront park within the full tank level of the Hussainsagar lake and not outside it.

Environmentalists claim that HMDA has not considered the condition of the lake but is interested only in revenue generation. They ask how HMDA can take up such projects when two cases are pending against it in the High Court and the National Green Tribunal. 

Mr Subba Rao said the proposed theme park will disturb the ecosystem. Several snake species and 35 bird species will be displaced. He said due to lack of vision, the state government had already damaged the ecosystem in the Hussainsagar lake near to which the park is to be set up. He says the government must hold a public debate before it acts. “There are several lakes in the city where theme parks can be constructed. The Hussainsagar lake has suffered enough,” he said.