Water bodies of Visakhapatnam disappearing one by one

Once, there had been over 100 water bodies, including ponds, tanks and natural springs. They have dwindled to a mere five due to urbanisation and neglect. Such alarming decline highlights the city administration’s inability to balance development with environmental preservation.

Environmentalist and Jana Sena leader Bolisetti Satyanarayana recalls a time when water bodies thrived in areas, such as Balacheruvu and Nerella Koneru. These included springs like Madhava Dhara and Seethamma Dhara.

The remaining water bodies, such as Vaisakhi Jalauddanavanam in Suryabagh and Yendada Junction’s Pond, have suffered due to encroachment and infrastructure projects. The Kambalakonda Hills catchment area, once vital for groundwater recharge, now faces threats from an urban sprawl. Raju Gari Cheruvu near Kapuluppada is struggling to survive amidst development pressures.

Former union secretary and environmental activist E.A.S. Sarma confirms the drastic reduction of water bodies, attributing it to unchecked urban expansion. Urbanisation has come with its costs, like excessive borewell drilling, depleting groundwater and drying of open wells.

Contamination due to untreated sewage and industrial pollutants has degraded reservoirs like Mudasarlova and Meghadrigedda. Encroachment of catchment areas has reduced reservoir capacities by over 60 per cent.

Environmentalists have criticised negligence of authorities like the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.

JS leader Satyanarayana has warned of water, air and soil pollution escalating beyond acceptable limits, thereby threatening the city’s future.