Steps to restore Mudasarlova reservoir stressed

Visakhapatnam: Former Union Secretary E A S Sarma on Saturday called for active participation of people from all walks of life to protect water bodies including rivers, ponds, lakes and reservoirs.

Visiting Mudasarlova reservoir along with V V Lakshminarayna of Jana Sena Party and other environmental conservationists here on Saturday, he said one of the most critical natural resource issues facing communities today is managing the available water.

On the eve of World Rivers Day, he said awareness should be created among people on conserving water resources. He called for earnest efforts to protect the Mudasarlova reservoir.

Stating that the Mudasarlova reservoir built in 1902 and provides 2.25 million gallons of drinking water to the city, he said nine major tributaries from Simhachalam hills in south and Kambalakonda Hills in north provide rainwater into reservoir.

"Today, these channels are facing threat from encroachments, untreated sewage, illegal dumping, transit dumping yard and hill slope removal. After the construction of central jail there was an increase in construction activity around the reservoir and after the construction of BRTS road, the real threat has begun," environment conservationist

Bolisetti Satyanarayana said, indicating the immediate restoration of the water body. According to the experts, an action plan should be implemented for the revival of the reservoir and the catchment area. Some of the essential points include, protecting the surrounding hills and water channels should be done.

Sewage should be stopped from entering the reservoir and the rivulets without treatment. Check dams should be built to make smooth flow of water from Simhachalam water channels into reservoir and many more measures were the part of action plan.