Hyderabad: Inspired by Bengaluru’s success in transforming polluted, encroached lakes into clean water bodies, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) is set to implement biodegradable techniques to rejuvenate the lakes of Hyderabad.
In a shift from traditional materials like concrete and steel, HYDRAA has decided to adopt sustainable approach — employing aquatic and medicinal plants, bio-fencing, and solar-powered aeration systems to naturally restore lake health. Similar methods were successful in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka and Jakkur lakes, which demonstrated effective lake management.
Initially, HYDRAA has decided to implement similar models at Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally, Appa Cheruvu in Gaganpahad, Errakunta in Pragathi Nagar, and Sunnam Cheruvu in Madhapur, with plans to extend it to another ten lakes by 2025. HYDRAA has partnered with Anand Malligavad, a Bengaluru-based tech professional turned lake conservationist renowned as the “Lake Man of India,” to spearhead the project. Malligavad’s foundation employs unique revival strategy focused on rejuvenating streams of connected lakes, planting native trees along the lake, and fostering community involvement to create self-sustaining ecosystems.
“Community engagement is crucial in lake revival. Our goal is to make locals the custodians of these water bodies. We’ll enhance water storage by removing silt, debris, and sewage to ensure 90% of the tank gets fresh rainwater through storm drains,” Malligavad explained.
Additionally, a greywater island will be installed to treat the remaining 10% of sewage water entering the lake. This treated water will support aquatic vegetation for natural purification, while invasive species like hyacinth and horseweed will be removed. “The estimated cost for restoring an acre of lake is around 50 to 60 lakh,” Malligavad added.
This move follows a recent visit to Bengaluru by HYDRAA delegation led by commissioner AV Ranganath, where the team studied successful lake restoration practices and disaster management protocols. The team observed and analysed the operational strategies of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre and visited various restored lakes like Jakkur, Yelahanka, Doddathoguru, and Maragondanahalli for insights.
“Our revival efforts will extend beyond lakes and include the nalas interconnected to them. Through desilting, removing encroachments, and restoring their original shape, we aim for a comprehensive revival of water bodies. This phased approach may take up to five years. So far, we’ve reclaimed 112 acres across 12 lakes by cleari-ng encroachments,” HYDR-AA commissioner told STOI.
In a shift from traditional materials like concrete and steel, HYDRAA has decided to adopt sustainable approach — employing aquatic and medicinal plants, bio-fencing, and solar-powered aeration systems to naturally restore lake health. Similar methods were successful in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka and Jakkur lakes, which demonstrated effective lake management.
Initially, HYDRAA has decided to implement similar models at Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally, Appa Cheruvu in Gaganpahad, Errakunta in Pragathi Nagar, and Sunnam Cheruvu in Madhapur, with plans to extend it to another ten lakes by 2025. HYDRAA has partnered with Anand Malligavad, a Bengaluru-based tech professional turned lake conservationist renowned as the “Lake Man of India,” to spearhead the project. Malligavad’s foundation employs unique revival strategy focused on rejuvenating streams of connected lakes, planting native trees along the lake, and fostering community involvement to create self-sustaining ecosystems.
“Community engagement is crucial in lake revival. Our goal is to make locals the custodians of these water bodies. We’ll enhance water storage by removing silt, debris, and sewage to ensure 90% of the tank gets fresh rainwater through storm drains,” Malligavad explained.
Additionally, a greywater island will be installed to treat the remaining 10% of sewage water entering the lake. This treated water will support aquatic vegetation for natural purification, while invasive species like hyacinth and horseweed will be removed. “The estimated cost for restoring an acre of lake is around 50 to 60 lakh,” Malligavad added.
This move follows a recent visit to Bengaluru by HYDRAA delegation led by commissioner AV Ranganath, where the team studied successful lake restoration practices and disaster management protocols. The team observed and analysed the operational strategies of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre and visited various restored lakes like Jakkur, Yelahanka, Doddathoguru, and Maragondanahalli for insights.
“Our revival efforts will extend beyond lakes and include the nalas interconnected to them. Through desilting, removing encroachments, and restoring their original shape, we aim for a comprehensive revival of water bodies. This phased approach may take up to five years. So far, we’ve reclaimed 112 acres across 12 lakes by cleari-ng encroachments,” HYDR-AA commissioner told STOI.
