Protection of Durgam Cheruvu

The G.O.Rt.No.12 of 08-01-2010 is issued, in pursuance of AP High Court Orders in W.P. 24077/2009, constituting the Committee, for taking steps required for protection of Durgam Cheruvu by identifying and reclaiming encroached lands falling within Durgam Cheruvu Lake and also to clear the dumping material from the Lake.

Ground Realities

Form the visit to the lake site it is observed that huge quantities of waste material and boulders are dumped at the site belonging to one Rajendra Agarwal, in the lake area behind Nectar Gardens and opposite to INORBIT Building and at the site between Open Drain and STP of HMDA. A new building is under construction, reportedly by one Srinivasa Rao, between STP and Collecting Tank of STP, which itself is in the lake area.

The Nectar Garden Complex and adjacent buildings seem to be encroachments falling within the lake area, judging from the water level abutting the rear compound wall of Nectar Gardens.The shrinkage of the lake area during last two years is evident from the fact that the Boating and Fishing Area of APTDC is abandoned, because it is inundated by the waters. The exact water spread area of Durgam Cheruvu is unclear, as FTL and MTL (MFL) have not been demarcated on the ground over the years. The FTL and MTL have no significance now, as the water spread area had been shrinking over the years

The benefits of 5 MLD STP of HMDA operating in the lake area are more than nullified by huge quantities of raw domestic sewage and waste waters flowing directly into the lake through the Open Drain. Even the Open Drain is encroached by laying a slab and building a shed in Kalyan Nagar, opposite the building "Sri Purna Prajna", which itself may be an encroachment within lake area.The capacity of 5 MLD STP appears to be grossly inadequate, even to treat the raw domestic sewage generated by the buildings in and around the lake area, leave alone the multi-storied complexes that are under construction and are likely to come up.

Suggestions

As per HUDA Notification the area of Durgam Cheruvu is 25.23 Hectares. The exact area and the survey numbers, covered under Full Tank Level (FTL) and Maximum Tank Level (MTL) be clearly demarcated, and prominently displayed at the water body for the information of the public, so as to protect and preserve Durgam Cheruvu

The outlet sluices, if any, be closed to prevent draining out of the lake. The down stream bund and surplus weir need to be augmented and strengthened to ensure discharge of only surplus inflows beyond safe holding capacity of the lake, i.e. MTL.

The encroachments into demarcated Lake area and 30 meters buffer zone be identified and notified for taking necessary corrective action including eviction where necessary.

The dumped material in the demarcated lake area and buffer zone be removed at the earliest at the expense of the people responsible for dumping.

The holding capacity of the lake to be improved by Desilting the lake area, particularly the shallow and peripheral areas.

The direct discharge of raw domestic sewage and waste waters into the lake form the surrounding areas, either through open drains or pipelines is to be prevented by implementing proper sewage collection and treatment system.

The existing buildings which are not connected to Sewage system are to be penalized and it should be made mandatory for all the buildings under construction and to be approved in future.

If it is not possible to upgrade the capacity of the existing 5 MLD STP, the surplus raw sewage generated and collected in the area, be diverted to down stream for treatment and disposal.

The green belt development be undertaken in the area between FTL and MTL and in the buffer zone, to prevent encroachments and to act as bio-filters to prevent pollution.

The authorities and persons responsible for non-implementation of the directives of AP High Court , resulting in more encroachments and destruction and leading to the present sad state of the lake, be identified and reprimanded, so as to prevent the reoccurrence of the same and set an example for the future.

"Durgam Cheruvu Protection Body" be constituted with the local representatives of concerned departments –Revenue, Engineering, GHMC, HMDA, Police, APPCB, APTDC etc – and the Concerned Citizens of the area, to monitor the duties and functions of the concerned agencies, so as to ensure sustained protection and preservation of Durgam Cheruvu.