Demolitions by HYDRA are ongoing in Greater Hyderabad. It is flattening structures that have encroached upon lakes, ponds, and drains. From influential figures to common citizens, anyone involved in encroachments is facing action from Hydra’s bulldozers. However, with some individuals seeking legal recourse against HYDRA, the Telangana government has become alert. In a recent cabinet meeting, a decision was made to grant more powers to HYDRA. The Revanth government is set to introduce an ordinance to legitimise Hydra’s actions soon. Additionally, confusion has arisen regarding the Full Tank Level (FTL) of lakes, which was fixed a few years ago. Legal complications are also being faced. Therefore, the Telangana government has decided to conduct another survey on the FTL of lakes in Greater Hyderabad.
The government has instructed the collectors of five districts within Greater Hyderabad to determine the latest Full Tank Level (FTL) for lakes. In response, the collectors have quickly sprung into action. While Hydra is demolishing encroachments on lakes within the GHMC limits, officials are also focused on determining the FTL for lakes outside the Outer Ring Road and issuing notifications. So far, the FTL has been established for 71 lakes, and preliminary notifications have been issued. Along with the details of the FTL for these lakes, relevant maps have also been sent to the HMDA. The HMDA has requested that any objections be communicated within 30 days of the notifications.
During the unified Andhra Pradesh regime in 2010, the Lake Protection Committee established to preserve lakes and other water resources did not function effectively. This committee was supposed to identify the Full Tank Level (FTL) of water resources and buffer zones, issue preliminary notifications, and accept objections within 30 days before issuing final notifications, followed by protective measures. However, only a few lakes in Greater Hyderabad reached the stage of final notification, and the preliminary notifications were not fully completed. In this context, the current government has decided to expedite the process of determining the FTL and removing encroachments to protect water resources. The Municipal Department issued separate orders in 2012 and 2016 stating that no constructions should be allowed up to the FTL for rivers, lakes, and other water resources. It clarified that no constructions should take place within the FTL and buffer zones, emphasizing that buffer zones are only for recreational purposes.
According to GO-7 issued by the Municipal Department in 2016, the Irrigation and Revenue Departments must determine these boundaries. There will be a buffer zone of up to 50 metres from the river boundary for municipal corporations, municipalities, city panchayats, and areas under the HMDA. For lakes, ponds, and water bodies larger than 10 hectares, the buffer zone will extend up to 30 metres from the Full Tank Level (FTL). Within this 30-metre buffer, walking and cycling tracks can be established up to 12 feet wide. For water bodies smaller than 10 hectares, the buffer zone will be up to nine meters. For canals, streams, and drains wider than 10 metres, there will be a two-metre buffer zone if the designated boundary extends up to nine or 10 metres.
The FTL boundaries must be identified by the Irrigation Department based on maps, and the Revenue Department must review and certify them based on survey numbers. Considering all these factors, preliminary notifications for 71 lakes outside the Outer Ring Road have been issued this month based on reports from the respective district collectors. This includes seven lakes in Ranga Reddy district, 10 in Sangareddy district, 20 in Siddipet district, 27 in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, and five in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district. The Telangana government has instructed officials to determine the FTL and buffer zones for lakes within the Greater Hyderabad area and to take further actions by the end of this month.
