The power of people!

Taking a step towards the ‘Swachh Bharat’ initiative, cleaning activity was conducted by the ‘Connected Communities’ around the Gangaram Lake in Chandanagar on Sunday with the objective of preserving natural water resources and the surrounding environment.

The activity was taken up under the Project GLARE (Gangaram Lake And its Restoration) Initiative in which members from GHMC also participated. “Gangaram is one of the largest lakes in the Nalagandla area.

The lake was the source of irrigation for agriculture and a livelihood for many fishermen. It was also a source of drinking water to various residential colonies around the lake, but the lake is now suffering due to untreated sewage water inflow, growth of water hyacinth, accumulation of garbage and other waste materials, and lack of properly marked boundaries resulting in encroachment of lake,” said a volunteer.

Commandant of Telangana, SPF Devi Das, said “The opportunity for lake restoration is encouraging, and the movement will reach new heights. The lake is now in safe hands and we will put every step forward in the restoration of the lake.”

Corporator of Chandanagar, Navatha Reddy said that she is the first person to get a hyacinth cleaning machine in Gangaram Lake. She assured that she would put the case forward to higher officials, for restoration of the lake, and mentioned she would put efforts to make a walking path around the lake.