Durgam Cheruvu
Encyclopedia
Durgam Cheruvu is a freshwater lake located in Rangareddy district, Andhra Pradesh
, India
. The lake, which is spread over 83 acres (33.6 ha), is located near the city of Hyderabad. The lake is also known as Secret Lake because it is hidden between the localities of Jubilee Hills
and Madhapur
.
(ca. 1518–1687), this lake served as the drinking water source for the residents of Golconda Fort. It was used for irrigation as well.
of the local government
initiated steps to promote the lake as a tourist destination. As a part of this, five boats were to be deployed at the lake.
In 2002, the lake started to become a destination for people who go for fishing as a pastime. Few citizens from the nearby city of Hyderabad travel to this lake on the weekends to relax and enjoy fishing. To capitalize on the visitors, the local agencies expanded their tourism plans by turning the lake into a fishing zone. As a part of the various beautification steps, the area surrounding the lake was illuminated, artificial waterfalls, a rock garden
and a floating fountain were added. In addition to this, proper seating arrangements, a 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) walkway and restaurants were established. Adventure activities like rock climbing
, trekking, rappelling, an art gallery
and a sculptor park for artists were also introduced as attractions. An amphitheater, with a capacity to hold 1,500 people at a time, was also added for public access. The entire exercise was completed at a cost of .
issued an order to the local pollution board
and the city's water supply and sewerage board not to allow development of new residential localities near the lake. Furthermore, the court order also asked these agencies to take immediate steps for prevention or collection and treatment of domestic sewage flowing into the lake from the residential colonies in the vicinity and catchment area of the lake. Despite these notifications, the local agencies have failed in controlling both pollution and illegitimate constructions on the lake bed.
To tackle pollution in the lake, sewage treatment plants were setup by the local pollution control board in 2006. As years passed by, the plant became non-functional.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The lake, which is spread over 83 acres (33.6 ha), is located near the city of Hyderabad. The lake is also known as Secret Lake because it is hidden between the localities of Jubilee Hills
Jubilee Hills
Jubilee Hills is a suburban neighbourhood in west Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. It is presently one of the most expensive residential locations in India with prime land prices fetching up to Rs. 200,000 per square yard. A tract of land in the city was sold for nearly Rs. 3,340,000,000 in 2005...
and Madhapur
Madhapur
Madhapur is home to the IT industry in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The heart of this area is called HITEC City which has the highest concentration of IT/ITES establishments in the city....
.
History
During the rule of the Qutb Shahi dynastyQutb Shahi dynasty
The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a Turko-Persian dynasty ; its members were collectively called the Qutub Shahis. They were the ruling family of the kingdom of Golkonda in modern-day Andra Pradesh, India. They were Shia Muslims and belonged to Kara Koyunlu...
(ca. 1518–1687), this lake served as the drinking water source for the residents of Golconda Fort. It was used for irrigation as well.
Tourism
In 2001, the tourism departmentAndhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is a state government agency which promotes tourism in Andhra Pradesh, India....
of the local government
Government of Andhra Pradesh
Government of Andhra Pradesh is the government for the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India.It is an elected government with 294 MLAs elected to the legislative assembly for a 5 year term.-Executive:...
initiated steps to promote the lake as a tourist destination. As a part of this, five boats were to be deployed at the lake.
In 2002, the lake started to become a destination for people who go for fishing as a pastime. Few citizens from the nearby city of Hyderabad travel to this lake on the weekends to relax and enjoy fishing. To capitalize on the visitors, the local agencies expanded their tourism plans by turning the lake into a fishing zone. As a part of the various beautification steps, the area surrounding the lake was illuminated, artificial waterfalls, a rock garden
Rock Garden
The Rock Garden or Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a Sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India, also known as Nek Chand's Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. Today it is spread over an area of forty-acres , it is...
and a floating fountain were added. In addition to this, proper seating arrangements, a 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) walkway and restaurants were established. Adventure activities like rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, trekking, rappelling, an art gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
and a sculptor park for artists were also introduced as attractions. An amphitheater, with a capacity to hold 1,500 people at a time, was also added for public access. The entire exercise was completed at a cost of .
Controversies and pollution
Because of the unique rock formations abutting the lake, it was designated as a protected area. In 2001, the state high courtAndhra Pradesh High Court
The Andhra Pradesh High Court is the High Court of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was set up on 5 July 1954 under the Andhra State Act, 1953.Its seat is in the administrative capital, Hyderabad and has a sanctioned judge strength of 39....
issued an order to the local pollution board
Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board
Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board is an organization of Government of Andhra Pradesh.It was established on January 24, 1976 to control Water pollution in Andhra Pradesh...
and the city's water supply and sewerage board not to allow development of new residential localities near the lake. Furthermore, the court order also asked these agencies to take immediate steps for prevention or collection and treatment of domestic sewage flowing into the lake from the residential colonies in the vicinity and catchment area of the lake. Despite these notifications, the local agencies have failed in controlling both pollution and illegitimate constructions on the lake bed.
To tackle pollution in the lake, sewage treatment plants were setup by the local pollution control board in 2006. As years passed by, the plant became non-functional.