Lake beautification is the new trend in town. Recent developments such as the GHMC – Raheja Group partnership to beautify Durgam Cheruvu confirms investors’ penchant for lake enhancement. All well-intentioned movements of stakeholders such as the government and private parties. But the question is whether the beautification of the lake alone contributes to the well-being of the people. Welfare issues are essential for the current generation, as well as for posterity and, most importantly, for the working-class people of the city.
When the dream becomes premium!
In today’s time-constrained city life, time to sleep is at a premium; after all, who is not interested in a sweet dream? Well, I meant to say that deep cushions are not a guarantee for adequate rest, but a mosquito-free sleeping environment can help us get out of sleep deprivation. Swarms of mosquitoes invade our homes at night. You close all the doors to avoid mosquitoes, and resort to mosquito coils that kill mosquitoes while causing respiratory discomfort. Don’t you feel suffocated?
The threat of ecological imbalance
According to a research study from the BMC publication, dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and other vector-borne diseases are continuously increasing. The State Department of Health is on red alert to fight mosquito-borne viral diseases. The reason for this is the breeding of mosquitoes in stagnant waters. Now the question is why do mosquitoes breed in stagnant ponds? The answer lies in ecological imbalance.
For. The organic food chain interrupted
Fauna refers to the living creatures in and around the lake. Fish and frogs help maintain environmental balance. Birds that ate fish and snakes ate frogs. So are frogs that feed on mosquito larvae. We also had turtles that also live in the lake. They fed on protein by eating small insects, snails, worms, and even dead marine animals and fish.
For. Fish decline: Fish give life to lakes. Two types of fish are found in lakes: white fish and black fish. Before they were abundant, now they are less due to the decrease in the number of lakes or lake shores that are being converted for human habitation.
The fish fed on mosquito larvae. When lakes become extinct or fish are reduced, mosquito larvae begin to multiply in stagnant waters whenever possible, wreaking havoc in the form of increases in vector-borne diseases or mosquito-borne diseases. Compounding the problem is increased immunity to antibiotics by the human immune system.
B. Missing frogs: The frogs disappeared; hunted by gangs during the seventies and eighties that capture and export them. Frogs are an essential part of the food chain. The snake eats the frog and the frog eats a grasshopper, the grasshoppers eat grass. This food chain is being destroyed now. Although the government banned the export of frogs in 2014 when the damage was done. Second, frogs are used for physiology studies in thousands of schools and universities across the country. As a result, the frogs became depopulated, increasing the agony of humans in the form of overpopulated mosquitoes.
Years ago, people had fewer problems with mosquito bites, as frogs and living things in lakes ate excess mosquito larvae. Now that we are left without fish, turtles and frogs on the lake shore, our health problems are increasing in the form of swine flu, dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases.
vs. Destruction of aquatic life
The very purpose of bodies of water is not just to provide drinking water, but to maintain natural aquatic life and promote animals to live in them. Rapid urbanization, improving living standards, make us forget our very foundation: the preservation of aquatic life that sustains our very existence.
D. Climate change: We all want water security to maintain groundwater level. It is an accepted fact that the lakes in Hyderabad reduce the intensity of the heat and we feel that the city is more refreshing compared to other regions of Telangana. This means that we mainly need ponds. Second, we need the policy to promote aquatic life that supports universal well-being in the city. For example, when fish are available, migratory birds will come to feed on fish and fish, in turn, will eat mosquito larvae restoring the fauna ecosystem.
Can we avoid this social responsibility?
Let me get to the fact. We are ignoring our bodies of water. In the course of urbanization, some lakes disappeared, became parks, became residential colonies, slums, etc. Fifty years ago, they could be found in and around Hyderabad in bodies of water. During those days, Zoological Survey of India used to study the quality of aquatic life in bodies of water. Unfortunately no studies are being conducted today as the focus shifts to wetlands. Let me tell you that swampy land is important too. But we should focus on primary sources like lakes and tanks. The funds are allocated for sophisticated ideas such as a study on wetlands, ecological projects, which do little to preserve the quality of aquatic life.
Many foundations are involved in conservation efforts. But his emphasis is on wetlands. The protection of wetlands is at the top of their agenda, since their preservation is also necessary for the preservation of water bodies. Previously, little attention was paid to wetlands. For example, Tank Bund, the areas surrounding the lake are swampy and used for grazing for livestock and other purposes. But what finally happened these lands were occupied. Common people built houses on dry lakes, on the other hand, real estate agents built flats there. The invasion led to the protection of the wetlands. But in the government process, the foundations turned a blind eye to pay attention to the destruction of the aquatic space.
For. Yes, we need to balance the wildlife ecosystem
Are the lakes for display purposes? Today, lakes are disguised for entertainment purposes, not to develop wildlife or create welfare for the public. Take the example of Durgam Cheruvu, a GHMC beautification movement in association with the Raheja Group. Now the problem is that we have a beautified lake teeming with mosquitoes that pose more risks to the public’s health.
vs. The interested parts
There are ways to create a wildlife ecosystem by networking from various sectors such as government, business, educational institutions, healthcare institutions, the general public, and the like. Ideal for interconnecting the bodies:
1. The government
2. Companies that participate in CSR activities
3. Department of fisheries
4. Pollution control panel
5. Zoological Survey of India
6. Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board
7. GHMC
8. Educational institutions
9. Health organizations
10. NGO
11. Students
12. Executives
13. The general public who aspire to well-being (control dengue, prevent mosquitoes)
14. Our children who want to have a healthy environment at home.
B. The bottom line: When the public-private partnership does not mind a colossal investment in city beautification, there must also be a provision to raise awareness on how to avoid pollution of lakes and simultaneous steps to promote an ecosystem such as fish farming, breeding frogs, creating wildlife, etc., which would have helped society to achieve health care goals, free from dengue fever, etc.
The expanded scope of the fauna ecosystem
Had there been an investment in the lake’s wildlife ecosystem, there would have been career opportunities in fields such as ecological research, fish farming, frog farming, inviting state investments that would provide employment for many. This includes researchers, ordinary people, in conjunction with Swachh Bharat under the State and the center. There is also the possibility of an internship for environmental visionaries, wildlife lovers or wellness seekers. Such activities can help create wealth by creating commitments in the formal and informal sectors on projects worth millions of rupees that require a massive workforce.