District-level lake protection committees to be formed in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The lake protection committee of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) on July 13 said that the government of Telangana has made the decision of setting up lake protection committees at district levels. These committees will required to submit a report to the National Green Tribunal in regards to the cases of lake encroachments.

The Telangana High Court in October 2020 had directed the state government, district Collectors and other concerned authorities to form lake protection committees in the state. In the recent meeting of the lake protection committee, it was decided to appoint a consultant, and identify and create a list of lakes and water bodies in Hyderabad Metropolitan.

The committees have been directed to work in coordination with officials of revenue, irrigation, and urban local bodies for the preparation of the Full Tank Level maps following the survey of each and every lake. According to an official, the nala system and its connectivity network within Outer Ring Road of Hyderabad is being taken up for the purpose of detailed study under the Strategic Nala Development Programme. This is being done to reduce the effects of floods that were experienced last year. The same strategy would be evolved and implemented in other parts of Hyderabad metropolitan areas.