Once a calm haven, Saroornagar Lake is calling for help as it struggles to deal with an increasing issue: it has partially turned into a floating landfill. In the middle of the idyllic environment, where families used to take strolls, there are now reminders of human carelessness scattered about the lake's edges, including plastic bottles, puja objects, and clothes.
 
Residential buildings overlooking the failing waters of the lake reflect this unpleasant image. The once beautiful natural setting has transformed into a food boulevard that draws large people on weekends due to its array of food vendors along the lake. But even amid the smells of delicious food, the lake quietly suffers from neglect and turns into a container for garbage.
 
Both residents and environmentalists have long expressed worry about the state of Saroornagar Lake. The rubbish heap, which includes everything from plastic waste to religious gifts, presents a disturbing image of the state of the environment.

"One of our long-standing issues has been the disposal of trash in and around the lake. We beg people to not litter here all the time, but sadly, a lot of them don't listen," says Satyanarayana Reddy, a local.
 
The telangana State pollution Control Board's most recent data emphasizes the lake's problems with water quality. The lake's dissolved oxygen content in december 2023 was 2.0 mg/L, which is slightly over the necessary amount to sustain aquatic life.
 
Significant organic contamination was indicated by the pH level, which was 7.24, and the Biochemical oxygen Demand (BOD), which was noticeably high at 5.4 mg/L. Furthermore, the detection of fecal streptococci at 2 MPN/100ml fecal coliform at 24 MPN/100ml, and total coliform at 540 MPN/100ml, respectively, indicating contamination.

The issue still exists because of ongoing dumping, despite the efforts of the Greater hyderabad Municipal Corporation's (GHMC) sanitation squad to do routine clean-ups.
 
"We clean up often, but it depresses us when others ignore our efforts and dump rubbish here. According to sanitation worker ramu Narsingi, "The increase in food trucks and tourists has only made the situation worse."
 
The ghmc has seen a worrying trend: there are more and more puja objects in the garbage. According to the official, "many think it's lucky to submerge religious objects in the lake, but this practice significantly contributes to its pollution."
 
Locals who express a desire for awareness and responsibility in the community reflect this view. If everyone works together to maintain the lake's cleanliness, it might regain its former beauty. It's a shared obligation, a worried bystander says.
 
 

 
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SIBY JEYYA

24/03/2024 08:31 AM