Hussain Sagar Lake is a landmark that visitors to twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad cannot miss. It is located between Hyderabad and Secunderabad and was built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah.
Spread over an area of 5.7 sq km, the water body was built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city during those days.
The water in the lake, which once has quenched the thirst of human and cattle population, has become so polluted that its water is declared unsafe for consumption.
During the past few years grave concern has been voiced by people from different walks of life over the deteriorating conditions of Hussain Sagar.
As a result of pressure of unplanned urbanisation, the entire ecosystem of Hussain Sagar has changed. The water quality has deteriorated considerably during the last three decades.
The lake has become shallow due to siltation and accumulation of plant debris. A study of the lake’s water and sediment conducted in 2008 found that it has exceeded its eutrophic condition, reaching hypereutrophic status. (Eutrophication Greek: eutrophia—healthy, adequate nutrition, development; German: Eutrophie or more precisely hypertrophication, is the ecosystem response to the addition of
artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilisers or sewage, to an aquatic system.)
Many undesirable changes in the structure of biological communities have resulted, and some important species have either declined or completely disappeared. Realising the importance of conservation of Hussain Sagar, a project has been formulated and was implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB).
In this respect, a project feasibility report has been prepared for the approval and financing from National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP). The project was to focus on physical, chemical, biological features, including the technical and
other sub-projects for the conservation of lake. In spite of the commissioning of a sewage treatment plant on the western side, untreated sewage and industrial
effluents continue to flow into the lake.
Finally, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has
begun to turn the landmark lake Hussain Sagar into a tourist spot by improving the catchment area that brings rain water into the lake. The Hussain Sagar Catchment Improvement Project (HCIP) aims to improve the water quality of the lake.
The cost of the HCIP project is Rs 370 crore, of which Rs 310 crore is taken as loan from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and Rs 60 crore is the state’s share. So far, Rs 192.35 crore has been spent on the project, which was to have started in 2008 and completed in December 2012, but the work could not be completed even in the rescheduled time of March 2013.
Now, it is again rescheduled for March 2014. However, work only to the tune of Rs 192.35 crore has been done for dredging the drains.
According to HMDA, the work is going on rapidly and as a part of the project, 50 MLD treated water is being released into the lake, after being treated in sewage treatment plants and to stop effluents coming from two inward drains have been diverted through interception and diversion sewer lines.
Seven fountains have been installed in the lake to improve the dissolved oxygen to keep refreshing the water and help aquatic life, which cost about Rs 1 crore. HMDA member (environment) Dr Rajendraprasad Khajuriya says that the focus is on dredging two drains, the Picket Nalla and Balkapur Nalla. The water quality has improved.
“The other two nallas from where the untreated polluted water comes into the lake, Banjara and Kukatpally, are kept on hold as the HMDA has separate plans for them and also we have to discuss this issue with the APPCB.”
Nearly 40,000 idols are immersed in Hussain Sagar every year, bringing in dangerous chemicals into the lake. The APPCB cannot stop the immersion as it has been the tradition. However, the sustained efforts of the APPCB and several groups in promoting eco-friendly clay Ganeshas have paid off.
Since Ganesha immersion ended, this year 3,000 tonnes of garbage was removed from the lake. On the final day of immersion alone, the HMDA removed 1,600 tonnes of garbage from Hussain Sagar. The garbage was removed within 24 hours of the final immersion.
The APPCB has been monitoring Hussain Sagar regularly under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. The APPCB has carried out the monitoring of water quality in Hussain Sagar and collected samples, including Ganesha
immersion points, on pre-immersion days, during immersion days and post immersion days.
This year, the APPCB found that there was not much variation in pH values and is ranged from 7.65 to 8. “Due to heavy rains during the time of immersion of Ganesha idols, the water level increased in Hussain Sagar, diluting pollutants,” says a scientist at the APPCB laboratory. It is concluded that at the midpoint of the lake i.e., near the Buddha statue, the water quality has not shown any negative impact of these parameters due to immersion of Ganesha idols.
However, concerned citizens are happy to note that their efforts in promoting clay idols with eco-friendly non-synthetic paints have started yielding results and reducing pollution levels. “The rain god did his part this year and saved the lake,” a HMDA official said, adding that separate ghats will be created in different parts of twin cities in an effort to decentralise immersion and reduce pressure on Hussain Sagar.