Activists cry foul as Hyderabad lakes turn into graveyards

HYDERABAD: The use of city lakes as graveyards has become a cause for concern say activists fighting to protect Hyderabad’s water bodies. According to them the area around six to seven lakes are currently being used to either bury or burn the deceased.
Balaswamy Gurram, convenor, Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL), said that it started with a few persons burying their dead and soon, many more followed suit.Among the lakes where the bodies are being disposed of include Ali Talaab, Medla Cheruvu, Pariki Cheruvu, Mundla Katwa Cheruvu, Mysamma Cheruvu and Errakunta lake.
While encroachment of lakes by land sharks is rampant in the city, activists are worried over lakes turning into burial grounds.
Ramana Eshwargiri, president, Tellapur neighbourhood association said that a graveyard coming up at Medla Cheruvu has resulted in concretisation of the lake bed. “Not just this lake, two nearby lakes are also facing the threat of encroachment,” he said. Ramana said the local community would help maintain the lakes once the full tank level is surveyed and restored. In this context, the association has also approached the Tellapur municipal commissioner seeking help.
Irrigation department officials said several lakes traditionally used to have graveyards nearby so that people could bathe before and after the burials. Hyder Khan, executive engineer, however, denied instances of burials within any lake limits. He said: “FTLs of all lakes have been clearly defined.”