Hyderabad: Mushkin Cheruvu in Narsingi has become the latest victim of environmental degradation as hundreds of dead fish float lifelessly in its waters, triggering concerns among locals and environmentalists alike.
Residents, who frequent the area, describe a distressing scene of struggling fish gasping for air at the lake’s surface, only to find them dead in recent days. The root cause, they argue, stems from untreated sewage runoff originating from nearby residential and commercial areas. “The stench is overwhelming, and the water is visibly contaminated with sewage. What was once a pristine freshwater habitat now resembles a cesspool,” lamented a resident and schoolteacher residing near the lake. She further highlighted the growing menace of disease-carrying mosquitoes, forcing locals to restrict their outdoor activities.
Adding to the community’s grievances, concerns were raised about the Manikonda Municipality’s alleged disposal of waste into Mushkin Cheruvu without adequate sewage treatment facilities in place. Residents also voiced frustrations over environmental regulations allegedly being flouted, particularly pointing out unchecked construction activities in the lake’s full tank level zone, despite GO111 regulations meant to protect water bodies. “In 2021, a public interest litigation highlighted illegal constructions around Narsingi Lake, Mushkin Cheruvu, and Nagi Reddy Kunta, falling under Osman Sagar’s buffer zone. Despite this, authorities have failed to address encroachments,” noted concerned residents. However, when approached for comments, Manikonda Municipality officials denied the presence of sewage pollutants in the lake, attributing the fish deaths to a potential channel of industrial pollution that requires further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), responsible for monitoring water quality, has not included Mushkin Cheruvu among its 185 notified lakes in the city, raising questions about regulatory oversight and environmental stewardship. As the ecological crisis unfolds, stakeholders are urging immediate intervention to mitigate sewage pollution, restore water quality, and safeguard the biodiversity of Mushkin Cheruvu. The incident underscores the pressing need for stringent environmental enforcement and sustainable urban planning practices to preserve Hyderabad’s natural heritage.
