Pilot project a success, more Hyderabad lakes to get trash guards

HYDERABAD: To prevent plastic pollutants from entering lakes, mesh-screens are being placed across water bodies including the Hussainsagar and Kudikunta. The initiative which was started as a pilot project seems to be gaining more traction with more lakes set to get these trash guards.
A few weeks ago, trash guards were installed at the Hussainsagar.The water body has been in focus with extensive trash entering it. In fact, the HMDA recently began a cleanup drive focusing on the Kukatpally nala side of the lake. “Nearly 500 cubic metres of trash was removed in just two weeks,” said one source from the HMDA. Not just in the Hussainsagar, but at other smaller lakes too trash guards are being installed. At the Kudikunta lake and Sunnam cheruvu these fence-like screens can be seen.
At Kudikunta lake, water conservationist Kalpana Ramesh installed the drain screens. “Most drain water is not treated. This means the plastic dumped in nalas enters and spreads. In this regard, drain screens help stop the pollutants from entering at a single point making clean-ups easier,” she said.
Hyder Khan, executive engineer, irrigation department, said: “We are putting these trash guards at 19 lakes.” But sources from the department confirmed that this model will soon be implemented across several other lakes as well. “Officials are in the process of identifying lakes in every circle in GHMC limits. These trash guards will be soon placed at several other places as well,” said an official.