The Hindu               28.06.2013

HMDA wakes up to eco concerns of twin cities

Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided to come out with a comprehensive Environmental Master Plan to assess the damage to environment in the city and suburbs accrued over the decades and to plan its protection in coming years.

A concept plan to take stock of the status of air, water and soil is being worked out and the urban planning body looks at initiating a study of the key parameters of environment in coming weeks. The entire Hyderabad Metropolitan Region (HMR) is to be covered under the exercise.

“We have to understand where the city stands in terms of environment and come up with a road map to be followed over the years to restore and maintain environmental standards,” says HMDA Commissioner, Neerabh Kumar Prasad. It will be a multi-department exercise involving Andhra Pradesh Control Board, Forest Department, Metro Water Board and others. After a thorough assessment of the present status, the Master Plan will unfold a comprehensive strategy at protection of environment in phased manner. For the purpose, the whole plan is divided into different segments such as lakes and water bodies, conservation and adding forest area, air quality improvement, ground water improvement and addressing the needs of solid waste management.

The work on water bodies has already been initiated and protection measures such as fixing full tank levels and identifying encroachments is on, Mr. Prasad says. “A study of green cover in the metropolitan region will be taken up to compare it with accepted international standards. Then, we will identify areas where there is scope for afforestation,” he says.

The APPCB is to be roped in to suggest measures to improve the standards. Similar will be the work on groundwater improvement while solid waste management measures to be located outside the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits are to be enlisted.

The Authority to come out with a comprehensive Environmental Master Plan to assess the damage to environment.