Hyderabad: Kamuni Cheruvu, a lake located in Kukatpally, is gradually disappearing due to continuous illegal encroachments. The lake, which originally covered 48 acres, has shrunk by nearly one-third and now faces several serious issues such as pollution and unauthorized dumping.
Because of rapid urbanization around the lake, including the buffer zone, large residential and commercial buildings have been constructed. Even though the previous government attempted to remove illegal structures last year, the efforts were ineffective. Encroachments continue to grow, especially along the lake’s bund area.
According to data from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the lake’s size has reduced to just 20 acres. The water quality of the lake is also a major concern. Illegal dumping occurs regularly around the lake, and other anti-social activities are frequent. To address this, a security guard was assigned five months ago. However, findings from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board show that the dissolved oxygen levels in the lake water are extremely low, at just 0.3 mg/l, far below the acceptable limit of 6 mg/l or higher.
Local residents recall that Kamuni Cheruvu was used for irrigation until the year 2000, before the illegal encroachments began. The lake’s inlet and outlet have been damaged, causing sewage from nearby buildings to flow directly into the water. The encroachments have further reduced the lake’s Full Tank Level (FTL), leading to water stagnation during the rainy season. Even light rain now causes flooding in the surrounding areas, forcing residents to stay on high alert during heavy downpours.
Speaking about the severe waterlogging that occurred in 2020 and 2021, social activist Sai Teja highlighted the ongoing struggles. He explained that the massive illegal encroachments in the FTL and buffer zone have damaged the lake’s inlets. As a result, residents suffer whenever there is heavy rain. He urged the state government to take strict action against the encroachments and find a long-term solution to protect the lake before it completely disappears.
