Environmental activist alleges map falsification, encroachments at Hayatnagar Lake
Hyderabad: Lubna Sarwath, an environmental activist and Indian National Congress member, has raised serious concerns about alleged discrepancies and encroachments related to Masab Cheruvu (or) Turka Yamjal Cheruvu, a lake in Hayatnagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy district. Lubna Sarwath has accused authorities of falsifying maps and condoning encroachments in the lake’s Full Tank Level (FTL) area.
In a recent letter to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Lubna Sarwath presented evidence, including FTL maps from 2013 and 2014 surveys, Google Earth images from 2021 and 2024, and a National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) map extract from the 2019-2022 database. These documents highlight discrepancies in the lake’s FTL area, particularly around Sy No. 205 and adjacent regions.
Lubna Sarwath pointed out that the FTL area, initially recorded as 532 acres in a survey on October 15, 2013, was later reduced to 495 acres in a January 2014 survey. The preliminary notification for the lake was issued on March 6, 2014, and the final notification was issued on October 21, 2016. Lubna Sarwath criticised the final FTL map available on the HMDA website as illegible and inadequate for proper monitoring.
Further, Lubna Sarwath noted that encroachments have occurred, especially on the western side of the lake. She claimed that Sy No. 205, part of the FTL area, has been filled with landfill materials, contrary to the final notification, which reported only 0.25 acres as affected. Additionally, she highlighted similar issues around Mallanna Temple.
Lubna Sarwath urged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to direct authorities to update the FTL map with clear geo-coordinates and to dredge and restore the affected lake areas. She also called for an investigation into the reduction of the FTL area.
Regarding the buffer zone, Lubna Sarwath criticised the current rule of a 30-meter buffer for lakes larger than 25 acres, arguing that it is neither reasonable nor scientifically justified.
Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Hinch Lal Tiwari case (July 25, 2001), Sarwath reminded officials of the court’s ruling on protecting water bodies and preventing land use changes in these areas. She said that the Supreme Court views neglecting and mismanaging water bodies as leading to ecological disasters and undermining public welfare.
