The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) is urging corporates and NGOs to donate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for restoration of lakes in Twin Cities. HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath held a meeting with 72 corporate representatives at his Buddha Bhavan office on Wednesday where he discussed how CSR funds can be utilised to restore lakes in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
The HYDRAA Commissioner also said that comprehensive lake restoration should be prioritised over mere beautification of the cities. He advised the organisations to focus on overall development of the lakes and warned “Everyone should realise that if the lakes are not protected, the ecological balance will be damaged, and the survival of future generations will be compromised.”
61 per cent tanks in Hyderabad untraceable
According to HYDRAA, within the Outer Ring Road, there are 1,025 tanks, of which 61 per cent are untraceable. The agency aims to salvage the remaining 39 per cent. In Wednesday’s meeting, HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath highlighted the urgency of protecting these water bodies. The Commissioner said that lakes like Sunnam Cheruvu, Tammidikunta Cheruvu, Kukatpally Nalla Cheruvu, Uppal Nalla Cheruvu, Bum-Rukh-Ud-Daula Lake and Bathukamma Kunta are being completely restored.
Combined endeavour is the need of the hour to remove silt from the water bodies, divert canals to prevent sewage contamination and establish freshwater ponds through the installation of sewage treatment plants, urged the commissioner. He said, “HYDRAA is working to enhance the reputation of the respective institutions through the development of these ponds.”
Telangana HC questions HYDRAA over ‘double standards’
Meanwhile the Telangana High Court on Wednesday lashed out at HYDRAA ridiculing it for its alleged double standards. The court questioned why the agency was not looking into constructions happening in elite areas such as Durgam Cheruvu and Gachibowli while it is busy demolishing structures belonging to the poor in the name of preserving lakes and protecting government lands.
“Do the same laws not apply to the rich and elite? Just by carrying out demolitions in slums does not serve any public good. It serves the purpose only when you act on illegal properties owned by the rich around Durgam Cheruvu, Miyapur lakes,” Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy stated.
The High Court made this observation while dealing with a petition challenging notices issued by Rajendra Nagar tahsildar in connection with illegal constructions encroaching upon Miralam Tank.
The court asked if HYDRAA officials can take action against politicians and influential persons who have encroached roads and parks and had constructed structures in government lands and FTL, buffer zones. It also sarcastically stated that HYDRAA should rather focus on the above instead of posing for the media after demolishing houses of middle class and underprivileged people.
