Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) intensified its drive against lake encroachments on Saturday by clearing illegal occupations within the Full Tank Level (FTL) limits of Mushkin Lake in the Puppalaguda-Narsingi villages of Gandipet mandal. Authorities estimated that the operation safeguarded govt land valued at over Rs 5,500 crore.Acting on public complaints, HYDRAA officials removed encroachments spread across the lake’s FTL boundary and prevented attempts to reclaim nearly 35 acres by constructing embankments through the middle of the water body under the guise of development activities. Officials subsequently demarcated the lake’s FTL boundaries and erected fencing in coordination with the revenue, irrigation and municipal departments.Residents had approached HYDRAA alleging that the lake was being gradually encroached upon through the dumping of soil and waste. According to the complaints, development activities funded through CSR initiatives were reducing the lake’s extent and facilitating illegal occupation of lakebed land.Locals further alleged that a bund was being constructed across the lake, while garbage collected from nearby areas was being segregated and dumped into the water body, resulting in foul odours and environmental pollution. In response, HYDRAA conducted a joint field inspection with officials. Records revealed that the lake originally covered 59.1 acres, while HMDA calculations confirmed the FTL extent at 52.2 acres. Officials also identified 20.2 acres of govt land within the lake survey limits.Investigations found that developmental activities had extended into the protected lake area, prompting HYDRAA to launch a large-scale operation to secure the entire FTL zone.Temporary hutsOfficials said certain real estate interests were allegedly attempting to occupy lake land by encouraging the construction of temporary huts and using economically weaker sections as a front for encroachment. They stated that the agency had been monitoring the issue for nearly a year and had provided ample time for occupants to vacate. Residents living in the huts were approached on two occasions and given a two-month period to relocate. Many occupants, upon understanding the circumstances, voluntarily vacated the site. Around 40 to 50 huts, along with sheds used for garbage segregation, were cleared.Residents welcome moveLocal residents welcomed the operation and praised HYDRAA for protecting the lake from encroachment. They noted that their long-standing campaign, which included signature drives and repeated representations to various govt departments, had finally yielded results. Residents said the preservation of Mushkin Lake would benefit thousands of households in and around the IT corridor. They have now urged authorities to remove all dumped soil from the lake and undertake its complete restoration and development.
