Rangareddy:
Despite efforts by HYDRA enforcement teams to remove illegal structures from water bodies in and around the city, the absence of basic measures like fencing the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones by the Irrigation authorities is causing concern.
HYDRA has conducted several demolition drives to clear encroachments in FTLs and buffer zones of various water bodies in the district. One of the notable cases is the historic Bum Ruknud Dowla Lake.
Last week, HYDRA focused on the lake opposite the National Police Academy in Shivarampally. Several illegal structures were demolished as they were found to be within the FTL area of the lake and a nearby stream, Nehr-e-Hussaini. The Shivarampally lake is one of about two dozen water bodies identified by the HMDA in Rajendranagar mandal.
Over the past five years, Irrigation authorities have made several unsuccessful attempts to fence the FTL area of the lake. In 2019, they proposed a plan to fence the lake with a budget of Rs 45 lakh. However, the plan was never implemented due to political pressure.
Officials tried again later by issuing notices to nearly two dozen property owners for encroaching on the FTL area of the lake, following an order from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2021-22. Unfortunately, these efforts also failed to protect the lake.
Due to the ongoing threat, officials admitted that they had to abandon plans to safeguard the lake, which is part of a crucial watercourse connecting Shankarpally to the Musi River.
An anonymous official said that despite repeated efforts, all attempts to protect the lake failed due to strong political pressure. However, he expressed hope that the recently formed enforcement body might succeed in getting approval for the fencing work around the lake.
The official also mentioned that no orders have been issued yet regarding the fencing of the lake’s FTL and buffer zone, but any such directive would help establish clear boundaries and protect the area.
Interestingly, the official seemed unaware of recent instructions from the RR collector, K Shashanka. During a review meeting last week, the collector directed Irrigation and Revenue officials to prioritize the protection of lakes. He asked them to conduct field inspections, identify FTLs and buffer zones, and install fencing and caution boards to prevent further encroachments.
