Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) held a crucial brainstorming session on Friday to discuss the rejuvenation of urban lakes and the establishment of Full Tank Level (FTL) boundaries. While no conclusive reports were drawn from the meeting, experts—including retired engineers, professors, and environmental specialists—shared their insights on the need for better-defined FTL boundaries and methods for improving lake conservation efforts.
The experts emphasized the importance of conducting ground surveys to accurately define the FTL areas, which are critical in preserving the ecological balance of urban lakes. They also raised concerns over the loss of lake shapes due to poorly planned railway tracks and roads that have been constructed near water bodies.
One of the key points discussed was the urgent need to protect existing lakes from encroachments. “The focus should be on safeguarding the current lakes from further encroachments and accelerating the rejuvenation process,” said one of the experts. A suggestion was also made for pharmaceutical companies to be notified about the need to properly dispose of their waste, ensuring that they do not contaminate the lakes. Additionally, it was proposed that “health cards” be created for each lake to monitor their condition and ensure long-term protection.
Addressing concerns about past errors in urban planning, several retired engineers pointed out that earlier generations of engineers were not sufficiently trained in urbanization practices, leading to mistakes. They suggested that providing better training to current engineers would help reduce future errors.
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath clarified the agency’s stance on lake protection. He emphasized that the objective is not to demolish existing structures within the FTL areas, but rather to prevent the construction of new buildings in these sensitive zones. “We are considering the water spread area of the lakes, Survey of India maps, and village maps. Instead of relying on individual data, we will form a committee of experts from various departments to determine the boundaries of the lakes,” he explained.
Ranganath also highlighted that unauthorized constructions that have been built by altering survey numbers or ignoring FTL boundaries have been demolished, regardless of whether they belong to wealthy or low-income individuals. “These unauthorized structures must be demolished to protect the integrity of the lakes,” he stressed.
The demolitions carried out by HYDRAA have helped raise public awareness about the importance of FTL and buffer zones, sparking ongoing discussions about lake preservation.
In terms of technological advancements, Ranganath mentioned that the agency is using advanced tools to monitor and regulate illegal constructions in FTL areas. “Once the FTL is determined, we will be alerted if any illegal construction takes place in the lakes,” he added.
The points discussed during the session will be compiled and submitted to the government for further action. HYDRAA is committed to ensuring the preservation of Hyderabad’s urban lakes, with a focus on sustainable development and protection against encroachments.
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