GHMC plans removal of hyacinth from lakes

HYDERABAD: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) sought support from State and Central governments to provide sufficient funds for making the lakes hyacinth pollution free as the corporation has drawn plans to remove hyacinth from the lakes as being done by Bangalore Municipal Corporation.

There are 185 water bodies in GHMC jurisdiction. The water hyacinth, weed growth etc is spread over an area of 1,827 acres in about 82 lakes. In 53 lakes, the water hyacinth spread area is more than five acres and in the rest 29 lakes, it is less than five acres. The tentative cost arrived for removal of water hyacinth is `18.44 crore. The above proposal has been submitted to the government for according approvals.

The GHMC is making efforts to involve various corporate companies, NGOs, RWAs and others to join hands with the GHMC and take responsibility for effective maintenance of the lakes under Corporate Social Responsibility. As per the request of the commissioner, some of the Corporate companies have already been involved in the maintenance of the lakes duly removing hyacinth from the existing lakes. Under CSR, Durgam Cheruvu has been adopted by Raheja software company, Malkam cheruvu and Nallagandla Cheruvu by Aparna constructions and Ambir cheruvu by resident welfare association.

As a permanent measure to control the water hyacinth, it is proposed to construct sedimentation tank, wet land pond in the lake near the inlet. The regular maintenance in the wet lands is easy and economical when compared to cleaning entire lake and to prevent the sewage from entering the lakes and divert it to the nearby sewer drains.

Lake protection committees needs to be formed by involving the residential communities surrounding the lake. The RWAs have to adopt the lakes and assist the departments in regular maintenance of the lakes.