GHMC on misson mode to rejuvenate lakes in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Before summer sets in and much before the rains arrive, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is on misson mode for rejuvenating lakes in the city. Already, cleaning activities at 39 lakes are in the final stages. Water hyacinth is being removed using Floating Trash Collectors (FTCs) at these water bodies and the garbage […]

Hyderabad: Before summer sets in and much before the rains arrive, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is on misson mode for rejuvenating lakes in the city. Already, cleaning activities at 39 lakes are in the final stages. Water hyacinth is being removed using Floating Trash Collectors (FTCs) at these water bodies and the garbage is also being fished out.

Maisamma Cheruvu in Kukatpally, Nallagandla Cheruvu in Serilingampally, Nalla Cheruvu in Uppal and Safiguda Lake are some among the 39 lakes where works are underway at a brisk pace.

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In addition to this, works at 19 lakes located in different parts of the city will commence soon, a GHMC official said. Vennelagadda Cheruvu and IDL Lake in Kukatpally, Gopinagar Lake and Regulakunta in Serilingampally are some among the 19 lakes that will soon be free from water hyacinth and garbage.

“Once the lakes are cleaned, the plan is to develop walking tracks and lush greenery. All the measures to protect the lakes will also be taken,” he said.

Recently, six FTCs were inaugurated by Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao, after which they were handed over to officials at the GHMC Zonal level to pace up the lake rejuvenation activity. The Minister had also asked officials of GHMC and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority to focus on the rejuvenation of water bodies in and around the city.

Meanwhile, the GHMC has simultaneously taken up Anti Larval operations (ALOs) at lakes that are being rejuvenated.

GHMC Chief Entomologist Ram Babu said that though most dengue cases were reported in September/October and Malaria cases were at peak during August every year, the ALOs were currently being taken up so that they were fully prepared to fight vector-borne diseases.

“Removing water hyacinth from the lakes will play a major role in controlling the mosquito population. We have decided not to wait until the peak season arrives to take preventive measures against diseases caused by mosquitoes. Following this, ALO are underway,” he said.

At several lakes, drones have also been pressed into service to kill mosquito larvae. Banda Cheruvu in Malkajgiri, Langer Houz Lake and Ramanthapur Lake are some of the lakes where chemicals were sprayed using drones.

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