Saroornagar Lake
Encyclopedia
Saroornagar Lake is a lake
in Hyderabad, India
. From the year of its creation in 1626, the lake remained largely clean until 1956 when Hyderabad expanded. Spread over 99 acres (40.1 ha), the lake was restored by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority
in 2003-04 at a cost of . After the restoration of the lake, migratory birds returned to the lake in big numbers a few years later.
, the city witnessed unprecedented population growth, industrialization and agriculture using synthetic fertilizers and insecticides. Inevitably, untreated domestic sewage, solid waste and industrial effluents entered into the catchment area
of this lake.
In 2003, the Minister of Tourism for Andhra Pradesh announced that the lake and its surroundings would be developed at a cost of . As a part of this initiative, two sewage treatment plants with the capacity to treat 250 million litres of sewage a day were to be installed. In addition to this, tourism-centric facilities such as a boating facility in the lake, a children's park and a restaurant were to be taken up. The minister also announced that all construction activity on the lake bed were to be stopped. Soon after, city's civic agency Hyderabad Urban Development Authority
took up the task of cleaning up the lake.
Four years after the installation of the sewage treatment plant, the officials reported 95% of sewage being treated. With the groundwater conditions improved, migratory birds returned to the lake in big numbers. In 2007, 5 acres (2 ha) park was developed alongside the lake at a cost of . The park featured sculptures, ornamental landscape, boating facility and an environment education centre. Citizens of nearby localities such as L. B. Nagar and Vanasthalipuram
welcomed this development.
After the restoration, the civic agencies have taken necessary steps that the lake does not get polluted because of the annual immersion of Ganesh idols
. In addition, steps were taken to curb unauthorized construction near the lake bed. However by 2009, the filtration unit of the sewage treatment plant stopped functioning properly. As a result of this, the lake was getting polluted with domestic waste.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in Hyderabad, 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...
. From the year of its creation in 1626, the lake remained largely clean until 1956 when Hyderabad expanded. Spread over 99 acres (40.1 ha), the lake was restored by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority
Hyderabad Urban Development Authority
The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority was created in 1975, vide an act of the State Assembly of Andhra Pradesh. Its jurisdiction was expanded in 2008 by merging it with the surrounding mandals to form the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority....
in 2003-04 at a cost of . After the restoration of the lake, migratory birds returned to the lake in big numbers a few years later.
History
In 1626, the lake was created for agricultural and drinking purposes. Spread over 99 acres (40.1 ha), the lake has a maximum depth of 6.1 metres (20 ft). It is one of five major water bodies in Hyderabad. After 1956 when Hyderabad became the state capital of the Andhra PradeshAndhra 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...
, the city witnessed unprecedented population growth, industrialization and agriculture using synthetic fertilizers and insecticides. Inevitably, untreated domestic sewage, solid waste and industrial effluents entered into the catchment area
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of this lake.
In 2003, the Minister of Tourism for Andhra Pradesh announced that the lake and its surroundings would be developed at a cost of . As a part of this initiative, two sewage treatment plants with the capacity to treat 250 million litres of sewage a day were to be installed. In addition to this, tourism-centric facilities such as a boating facility in the lake, a children's park and a restaurant were to be taken up. The minister also announced that all construction activity on the lake bed were to be stopped. Soon after, city's civic agency Hyderabad Urban Development Authority
Hyderabad Urban Development Authority
The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority was created in 1975, vide an act of the State Assembly of Andhra Pradesh. Its jurisdiction was expanded in 2008 by merging it with the surrounding mandals to form the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority....
took up the task of cleaning up the lake.
Four years after the installation of the sewage treatment plant, the officials reported 95% of sewage being treated. With the groundwater conditions improved, migratory birds returned to the lake in big numbers. In 2007, 5 acres (2 ha) park was developed alongside the lake at a cost of . The park featured sculptures, ornamental landscape, boating facility and an environment education centre. Citizens of nearby localities such as L. B. Nagar and Vanasthalipuram
Vanasthalipuram
Vanasthalipuram is a outer part Hyderabad and belongs to L. B. Nagar zone. It is situated 13 km from the heart of the city. It is located near the Vijayawada Highway, NH-9. It is a residential area with a peaceful atmosphere and abundant greenery. It is now the hub of commercial activity with a...
welcomed this development.
After the restoration, the civic agencies have taken necessary steps that the lake does not get polluted because of the annual immersion of Ganesh idols
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi , also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Hindu festival of Ganesha also called Vinayagar in Tamil Nadu, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival...
. In addition, steps were taken to curb unauthorized construction near the lake bed. However by 2009, the filtration unit of the sewage treatment plant stopped functioning properly. As a result of this, the lake was getting polluted with domestic waste.