Fish kill in Mushki Cheruvu raises concerns about water pollution
Hyderabad: A large number of fish have died in Mushki Cheruvu, a freshwater lake in Hyderabad, sparking outrage among residents who blame government departments for inaction on water pollution.
Social media posts reveal complaints about pollution in the lake is for over a year. Citizen Gowtham, in a post on a social media platform Twitter, called the fish deaths an “environmental murder” caused by irresponsible government officials. He praised individual efforts to protect the environment.
Another resident tagged the Manikonda Municipal Corporation on social media, criticizing their lack of response to complaints regarding an illegal weigh bridge and the polluted lake.
Madhulika, the environmentalist and founder of the Dhruvansh NGO, took to Twitter to express her concern about the fish kill, stating it as a clear indicator of pollution. She hopes this large-scale die-off will finally prompt the authorities to take action.
Speaking to the Hyderabad Mail, Madhulika elaborated, “I’ve been observing this lake since 2014. It used to receive good water from the Fakkruddin Gutta side, but couldn’t retain it. In 2020, we addressed seepage issues and improved water retention. For the past four years, the lake held water effectively.”
It’s clearly Murder of Fishes by irresponsible Government officials… hatsoff Sir… for your service to the Nature.. Next it’s impact to us only… Mark my words… pic.twitter.com/lytm3TAB0O
— Goutham (@Goutham00513403) July 6, 2024
However, Madhulika raised concerns about the lake’s current state. “The irrigation department breached the lake weir, preventing it from reaching its full capacity of 54 acres. Currently, it only holds water up to 15 acres.”
She questioned the authorities’ approach, saying, “Why is the lake being polluted before remedial actions are taken? Why can’t we prioritize its protection in first place? Mushki Cheruvu is a 54-acre lake. Why hasn’t Government Order 419, which reportedly denotifies 20 acres, been cancelled? The lake even has a stepwell, crucial for shallow aquifers that we advocate for.
Madhulika further highlighted the illogical land use near the lake. “The area around the lake has a pipeline on one side and high-voltage wires on the other. How can people be claiming ownership of land that the government says is protected? How were so many tall buildings built in an area that’s supposed to be good for the environment?”
