Tale of a dying lake in Madinaguda

Miyapur: Once a drinking water facility for the locals, today it is covered with water hyacinth and sewerage. The Deepthisri Nagar Lake also known as the Malaka Cheruvu in Madinaguda, Miyapur, was a beautiful lake a decade ago, with fresh water running in and filled with biodiversity. Alas, it is now nothing but a dead water body. The locals allege that the sewerage water being let into it from nearby colonies has polluted the water body. Once abundant with fishes, it is now a barren water body.

A Shashikanth, a local resident, shares, "Earlier we used to spot different species of birds but now we can hardly see any. The water in the lake sheds a malodorous smell and is a haven for mosquitoes and cattle that are seen lying in the lake all the time." "Locals used to fish earlier in the lake but now there is no fish as the lake is not fit for their survival. We would like the different departments to get involved in the lake and take positive steps and save the lake," he added further.

Venkanna, Deputy Commissioner, Serilingampally, shared, "The locals are seen washing clothes and bathing their cattle in the lake which needs to stop. The locals have to come forward and co-operate with the GHMC. Cleaning of the lake and removing of water hyacinth and spraying for anti larva protection is being taken up with the officials concerned. Soon the entomology department and other departments will be intimated to start their work."