HYDRAA Protects Muskin Cheruvu From Encroachers

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Saturday said it had fenced 52.2 acre of Muskin Cheruvu located in Puppalguda and Narsingi, saving land worth Rs 5,500 crore approximately.

HYDRAA alleged that an attempt was made to grab 34.21 acre by constructing an embankment in the middle of the lake under the guise of lake development. A construction firm had undertaken lake development works using corporate social responsibility funds.

According to HMDA records, the 52.2 acres fenced on Saturday fell within the full tank level (FTL) boundary of the lake's total extent of 59.11 acres as per village records. Of this, 20.23 acres constitute government shikam (lake bed) land and the remaining was privately owned.

The encroachers attempted to encroach land in the FTL area by taking up construction activities in violation of regulations and by erecting huts. According to HYDRAA, encroachers were using people from the economically weaker sections as a human shield to stop enforcement activity. In addition, the encroachers had dumped construction debris and soil to alter the lake's topography.

HYDRAA provided two months for the occupants to vacate the premises. They were informed twice earlier this month about the impending action. Many hut dwellers voluntarily vacated the site, HYDRAA said. Following this, the agency commenced fencing and the embankment constructed in the middle of the lake was removed. Locals said the lake was being degraded by waste segregation units operating on adjacent plots.