Community strives to restore Gangaram Lake

One of the most well-known water bodies in the city, the Gangaram Lake at Chandanagar in Serilingampally is dying and slowly de-oxygenating. It was once a famous spot for agriculture and fishing and used for providing drinking water and cultivation of crops by villagers.

Unfortunately, the lake is getting filled with hyacinth and inflow of sewage is causing obstruction to its inlets, which are getting filled with plastic and junk metal.

Taking matters into their own hands, residents started the ‘connected communities’ concept to restore the Lake. A prominent part in this restoration is played by Krishna Kaza, who is the founder of the concept.

Speaking to The Hans India, he said, “Gangaram Lake was used for drinking water, but now its condition has worsened. So to bring awareness and protect flora & fauna of the lake I started the ‘Connected Communities’.

“Through the concept four Aparna communities joined and the team is putting relentless effort to join other communities in spreading awareness of lake getting inundated and peril of diseases that would follow if lake is not cleaned.”

“All these are taken up under Project GLARE (Gangaram Lake And its Restoration) Initiative,” he informed.
Recently, about 32 individuals representing 2,000 households gathered at Aparna Lake Breeze in an awareness seminar, were the Greater Hyderabad Muncipal Corporation officials clearly mentioned that communities need to immediately concentrate on stopping inflow of sewage water.

The officials had informed for the need to install a treatment plant or divert sewage through proper channel.

“In the coming rainy season if storm water inlets are not cleared then surrounding areas will be inundated with filth. If the Lake is not cleaned immediately it will pose a major health issue including infestation of Dengue mosquitoes and enabler for diseases,” warned the environment enthusiast.

“The Lake water has high level of toxic chemical and dangerous bacterial content. Consumption of any living thing from such lake will cause serious health hazards,” he said on a grave note.