III. Exploring the Background
The issue of escalating water crises in the form of floods and droughts in a country abundant in water resources and knowledge raises significant concerns that need to be addressed. Hyderabad’s land-waterscape in the historical context was intricately linked to the topography, drainage systems, and water bodies.
Delving into my personal connection with the lakes of Hyderabad, I have spent three decades conducting research on urban lakes, including my doctoral studies in Public Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Netherlands. This research involved periodic investigations of the lakes in Hyderabad.
Over time, I have explored various urban lakes across India, particularly in Hyderabad. The primary lesson learned and emphasized in a proposal is that a lake should be respected and not misused for encroachments or inappropriate developments, whether officially or unofficially. This includes avoiding using lakes for constructing gardens, parks, or forests under the guise of conservation.
During the early stages of establishing HYDRAA, I conducted a workshop to educate officials on the importance of preserving urban lakes and the detrimental effects of misusing them. It was stressed that urban lakes play a crucial role in the natural stormwater drainage system, and their integrity should be maintained to ensure ecosystem health.
Participating in international workshops on water management in Hyderabad highlighted the vital role of urban lakes and natural drainage systems in enhancing the city’s resilience. The focus was on rejuvenating lakes from an ecological and well-being perspective to benefit both the environment and the community.
A white paper published in 2020 emphasized the need to reclaim drains in cities, particularly in Hyderabad, to address flooding issues. The paper highlighted the systematic loss of natural drainage courses due to urban development, stressing the importance of restoring these drains to prevent floods and maintain water resources.
Recognizing the efforts of environmental activists and civil society organizations in Hyderabad to address the misuse of urban development by local bodies, it is evident that judicial intervention plays a crucial role in ensuring fair social and environmental justice processes.
