Mr. Jeevan Reddy, Mr. Vedakumar, Capt. J. Rama Rao, Mr. Sarvotham Rao are seen with children

Mr. Vedakumar is addressing the participants From Left to Right... Dr. Pushpa, Mr. Teru, Capt. J. Rama Rao, Mr. Jeevanand Reddy, Ms. Sangamitra Mallik, Mr. Ravi of Samatha

Patancheru

Arsenic

upto 700 ppb

10 ppb

Industrial

Hyderabad

Nitrate

1.2 – 760 mg/l

45 mg/l

Urban

"

Copper

0.03-0.49 mg/l

0.05 mg/l

Industrial

Osmansagar

Sulphate

673-1996 mg/l   

200 mg/l

Agriculture

Vizag

Nitrate

0.0-556 mg/l

45 mg/l

Urban

"

Lead

0.18-0.19 mg/l

0.05 mg/l

Industrial

"

Cadmium

0.3-0.72 mg/l

0.01 mg/l

Industrial

Protection of Lakes

Hyderabad's Deccan topography facilitated construction of a number of water storing devices (lakes, ponds, reservoirs etc.), both natural and man-made. They provided drinking water to millions and helped recharge groundwater. So many of them have disappeared and got seriously contaminated, thanks to encroachments, land grabbing and discharge of untreated industrial effluents and domestic sewage. The attitude of the powers that be has been that of apathy, connivance and collusion. There is a larger preference for costly water supply schemes rather than protecting the existing water bodies. What should be done?

For more read below:

             IInd order to have sufficient fresh water to sustain life throughout the year and even in bad monsoon periods, it has become necessary to store rainwater during monsoon months in lakes and ponds. In our country, since the days of Harappan civilization over 4000 years ago, the practice of building reservoirs existed to store rainwater for drinking, irrigation and other uses. Kautalya's Arthasastra tells us that the King was to provide assistance to people who built tanks, and Manu imposed capital punishment on a person who destroyed a tank bund.

But what is happening now to the lakes, tanks, ponds etc., is altogether different. Instead of building more tanks to meet fresh water requirements of ever-increasing population, we are not even able to protect and preserve good old water bodies and are accelerating the process of their destruction. This is an alarming trend, which will lead to rapid depletion of groundwater resulting in acute fresh water scarcity apart from disturbing the ecological balance.

Hyderabad and its surroundings get most of the rainfall during the South-West monsoon period from June to September amounting to total annual average rainfall of about 85 cm. In Hyderabad Metropolitan Area (HMA), there are 169 lakes of 10 hectares and above to impound and store rainwater during monsoon months. These are also notified by Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA). Out of these, about 145 lakes are reported to be dry up during non-monsoon months and they are being allowed to be systematically and gradually encroached, filled-up and used for residential and other purposes either with the connivance of the authorities concerned or by manipulating the records. One fails to understand the logic of allowing the existing tanks, ponds etc., to be destroyed and at the same time spending huge amounts for creating rain water harvesting pits and costly water supply schemes?

Illegal constructions and encroachments in lakebeds
Courtesy : Eenadu

The questions to be asked are:

• Is the Government really serious about protecting the water bodies from land grabbers and, preserving and restoring them?
  
  If so, why doesn't Government act swiftly and decisively?
  
  Is A.P. Water, Land and Trees Act 2001 going to be another tool to encourage corruption?
  
  Why doesn't the Government concentrate on integrated development of the water bodies and their catchment areas, in and around Hyderabad, instead of thinking of grandiose plans for bringing water from Kistna or Godavari at exorbitant cost?
  
  Considerable damage has already been done to many of the lakes in HMA and its environs, either by polluting waters due to dumping of solid wastes, discharge domestic sewage and industrial effluents into them or by reducing the size of the lake areas by encroachments and other developmental activities. The dumping of garbage and the discharge of untreated or under-treated effluents and sewage are in violation of Section 24 of Water Act 1974, but AP Pollution Control Board and the Government remain passive spectators to such happenings.

Measures to be undertaken:
Small capacity sewage treatment plants may be set up in different localities to treat sewage generated and to utilise the treated waters for non-domestic purposes in the respective localities. This will arrest excessive exploitation of ground waters and pollution of surface water sources. The desilting of lakebeds, strengthening of tank bunds and construction of spillways for the discharge of surplus waters, should be undertaken on a priority basis. This will ensure harvesting of rain water and recharging of ground water in the area, apart from preventing flooding of low lying areas.

A survey of all lakes in HUDA area be undertaken as per revenue records on a top priority basis to identify "Full Reservoir Levels" (FRL) and "Maximum Reservoir Levels" (MRL) and demarcate their boundaries. Extensive green belts be developed in the areas between FRL and MRL and on lake bunds around the lakes. The demarcated lake areas should be protected from further encroachments suitable fencing may erected around for this purpose. The patta lands, if any, within the demarcated areas are to be acquired by paying reasonable compensation or offering suitable incentives to genuine landowners. The change of land use in water bodies should not to be permitted under any circumstances, by amending Section 12 of Urban Areas Development Act 1975. The encroachments within in the demarcated boundaries may be removed in a phased manner based on their adverse impact on water bodies. Otherwise, there is every danger of repeated flooding and inundation of residential areas as experienced in August 2000.

The HUDA issued a Notification in May 2000, listing 169 lakes with an extension of more than 10 hectares, for protection and keeping them free of any types of constructions irrespective of ownership of land or land use or Master/Zonal Development Plans that may have been previously notified or sanctioned. The Notification also stipulates that a buffer belt of 30 meters width, on all sides of each lake, must be kept free from any type of construction in the interest of prevention of pollution of lake waters and to allow free inflows and outflows. Once these lakes are recognized as potential sources of water supply, and if protected, they may prove to be more cost effective and eco-friendly than bringing Kishna or Godavari waters to Hyderabad.

However, because of involvement of multiple agencies like local bodies (MCH, Municipalities and Panchayats), Revenue department, Irrigation department, Pollution Control Board, HUDA etc., and due to lack of inter-departmental coordination and proper appreciation, the protection of lakes has become a serious causality all these years. A single agency, therefore, will have to be made responsible and accountable for all activities related to protection of lakes. Moreover, the protection of lakes cannot be dealt with in isolation, as it is closely interlinked with proper treatment of catchment areas, urban forestry and green belt development, land use planning and management etc. It will have to be integrated with biomass management involving land, water and greenbelts. It is hoped that protection and development of 169 notified lakes, will be integrated with the Indo-Dutch Green Hyderabad Project 2000-04.

The HUDA, which is the implementing agency of Indo-Dutch project, be appointed as the nodal agency responsible and accountable for coordination of all activities connected with the maintenance, protection, development and preservation of 169 lakes in HMA. The local Lake Protection Cells, involving stakeholders and local communities be constituted for each lake that will act as watchdogs and give feed back to HUDA. The sale and registration of lands in the areas covered under notified lakes should be banned. No development activities should be permitted in these areas, which are to be supervised and controlled by HUDA. It is hoped that Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Ordinance, 2000 and the subsequent Act on the subject will bring in more inter-departmental coordination and accountability in protecting the lakes from the land grabbers and sharks!

SOILS, WATER, BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURES

R. Rajamani, lAS, (Retd)

Soils, water and biological diversity expressed in all flora and fauna, existed long before the human species, Home erectus, who was part of this scene came down from the trees and started behaving as though he was superior to other species. In early history of the world many natural disasters and phenomena occurred like floods, avalanches, earth quakes, and continental drift and meteorite strikes. These wrought many changes like disappearance of species, formation of new continents and landmasses.

Geological tumults which brought a glacial era, ecosystem changes (like the rise of the Himalayas), formation of fossil fuels and so on. The human species evolved long after many of these changes had occurred and we are witnesses even today to many natural disasters, though not on the same scale so far. Human beings have made their contribution to the destruction of resources by events such as the World Wars and indiscriminate industrialization which have left deep scars on our soils, water and biodiversity, not to speak of air which is a big subject in itself! It is important to note that these changes due to anthropogenic forces are compressed in time scale and accelerate environmental deterioration much faster than even natural disasters. Soils, water and biodiversity are therefore reducing natural’ resources now due to interference with evolutionary forces and over utilization.
We are rushing ahead with utilization as though today counts more than tomorrow. The human intelligence and power of reasoning which apparently distinguishes it from other species is being used more for destruction than conservation of natural endowments. Soils, especially topsails are, along with clean air and water, life support systems which ensure the food chain is intact and food security is assured. Yet our agricultural, pastoral, forestry, irrigation and industrial practices are such that precious topsoil is being washed away year after year and there is no renewal of either the soil or the nutrients that go with it to sustain our food chain over a long period. Use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers for short-term gains, over irrigation and changes in land use like deforestation, over urbanization and overgrazing are altering the chemical composition and texture of soils and laying waste productive land like never before.

Our waters are victims too of similar phenomena. Both quality and quantity of water are in grave danger. We have reached a stage where waters in our rivers, lakes, ponds and even under the ground are no longer fit for drinking or even bathing in many places. Over use of water for irrigation, interference with natural water courses and industrialization has resulted in disputes between even States within our country itself! Things have come to such a pass that even the abundant sea waters are now being polluted by discharge of sewerage, industrial effluents and oil spills which endanger marine biological resources on which we could have depended when our terrestrial resources are depleted.  Flora and fauna of all descriptions which are part of the rich biological diversity are disappearing at a faster rate than when natural phenomena overtook them.

In India we have lost the cheetah and the pink headed duck in the last century, to mention two species which were more visible. Many other organisms both above and below ground must have vanished even before being documented. Many domesticated species of animals and crops too are now victims of the greed for more production and breeds which served us well for centuries are now on the verge of extinction.
We are compelled to see many of our animals and plants only in zoological parks, botanical gardens or herbariums Many species are now in the threatened or vulnerable category and we are hard put to conserve even our apex species like the tiger and the elephant Why have we reached this stage in our existence where our own future, leave aside that of future generations is put at such risk? It is easy to ascribe this as being due to overpopulation or the inevitability of economic growth where some sacrifices are inevitable. But the more deep causes are cultural in nature.

The values of conservation and proximity to Nature which prevailed for centuries and even permeated religious and other beliefs, particularly in countries like India are facing erosion. The dominance of the human species, ignoring the equity among, if not equality of, all living things and organisms has reached a point where it is endangering its own survival. Unlike our ancient cultures we see now natural resources as those to be subjugated, used and even overused in the name of better management! The surprising aspect of these developments is the utter disregard of the interests of our own future generations who will find that non renewable natural resources have been exhausted and renewable resources have been harvested to the point of no return.
These trends do not reflect the close link between soils, water, biodiversity and human cultures which did not look at them as distinct entities to be manipulated at will but as a continuum with strong inter linkages.

We in this country have had such a culture and understanding of Nature for centuries and even now, mercifully, in most of our rural areas and in select urban pockets we have wise people arid 'Communities which cherish and even worship these linkages.

They have a clear understanding of the distinction between need and greed and the intra and intergenerational equities which are fostered by a spirit of give and take, compassion and mutual love and support. It is no surprise that most of the saints, savants, religious and even temporal heads recognized these linkages not only in the world but especially in India. We had the Vedas which sought benediction in natural phenomena as when they said vanaspatheye shanthih. In the Bhagwad Gita, the lord says that among the trees He was the aswattah. The two religions which originated here just before the birth of Jesus Christ, Buddhism and Jainism gave central place to compassion, karuna. jeeva karunya or compassion to all living creatures became a powerful tool of thought and action, so much so that two thousand years later, it became part of the Constitution of India which makes it the fundamental duty of India's citizens to "have compassion for all living creatures", We had kings like Sibi and Paari who were part of this culture.
Sibi carved out his own flesh to save a dove trom the hunter who insited on his pound of flesh. Paari left his golden chariot on the side of the road to support a jasmine creeper which was drooping under its own weight Then we had Emperor Ashoka who decreed tne creation of wildlife sanctuaries and even had a hospital for elephants! Our common people recognised the pools of water and biodiversity in many places and by attributing divinity to them, preserved them as devarakadu or "Sacred Groves". Strangely, centuries later we saw the British naturalist and shikari Mr Jim Corbett recognising the distinction th_ animal kingdom observed between greed and need.
He was averse to the practice of attracting tigers with a goat as bait When he was prevailed upon by a hunter friend to witness from a machan such a bait for the tiger, the tiger astonished his friend by smelling the goat and walking away! Jim Corbett was not surprised and told his friend the tiger must have killed for food just before that and so had no interest in the goat! The tiger killed only when it had a need and not out of greed. Can we say the same thing about many of the lavish and ostentatious things we do these days? The cultural values that helped conserve our natural resources did not treat them as separate entities but sawall of them as a whole not distinct from the parts-the concept of poornam and simple living inherent in some of our texts and philosophy.

The simple life, dharmic path and philanthropy practiced by the Jagadguru Shivaratri Swamigalu Order are in the same genre. But the prevalence and power of the existentialist thought as well as the two dimensional reductionist approach of Western Science, which we have copied without demur, have led us away trom these values. It is not as though we can have only one path of development that is ruinous to our natural resources. We can practice many things which contribute to sustainable development like using more of biological control of pests and diseases, finding more biodegradable substances for uses which have become part of the modern cultures, growing more of nutrition rich and less water intensive crops that will help minimse conflicts, incorporating cleaner technologies that do not generate waste at all and do not pollute our air and waters, reusing and recyc1 ing- the list of things that the human intellect can do to conserve natural resources is long but practical and achievable. But what more is required is a cultural attitiude where the spirit governs us as much as matter. Contentment and being able to make do with less, altruistic practices that avoid driving the weak up the wall, respect and compassion for all living creatures (which should include plants, shrubs and trees) -these and more that our saints and scriptures have imbibed in us should drive us rather than greed and an attitude of the Devil'taking the hindmost.
The thought for the morrow and the lives we shall ourselves create for living in it should ever be at the back of our mind as we use our soils, water and biodiversity. I had an interesting experience with communities living around Nagarhole National park. Many in the group of villagers were incensed about not being allowed to cut the grass, gather small fuel or take up small water harvesting structures. When they were asked whether they were against the steps taken to conserve wildlife they said no, but wanted that the Park should not inhibit their own growth in terms of food, income and jobs. When they were asked if someone else also ought to be heard in this connection, they were a bit confused as who it could be.

When I asked if we should not hear also the animals, trees and grasses what they thought of all this, the people became silent. It is quite possible they thought I was being eccentric but I give them the benefit of doubt and recognise their cultural milieu where other living beings were also having divine sanction. If they were not like that surely they would have risen in protest. But it is not possible to have the same reaction from those for whom making a quick rupee or believe "Development is all".
I have tried to reason with many of our engineers, contractors, industrialists, farmers and even policymakers and found that they paid only lip-homage to our cultural traditions and Conservation. Our future 'witl be secure only when they imbibe the values I quoted from ou Vedas and philosophies and from the following two quotations.
The first is from a Nobel Peace Lauraeate Ms Rigoberta Menchu who is from Guatemela and of Mayan descent. It reads. "The Mayas, our grandparents, always said ,every human being occupies a small piece of time, time itself is much longer, and because of this they always said that we must care for this earth while we are on it because it will be part of our children, of our granDchildren.
They know that life is short, that it can end so soon, and if that one gets lost on the way, others will come to take their place"  The second one is from a Cree Indian saying in USA: "It is only when the last tree has been cut When the last fish has been caught, When the last river has been poisoned, That you will realise that you cannot eat money". Amen.