Celebrating World Wetlands Day Sukuki Exnora, an NGO involved in solid waste management, along with HMDA-HCIP (Hussain Sagar Catchment Area Improvement Project) organised a collage made out of solid waste collected from the lake and sent a strong message of the need to maintain a clean and green Hyderabad and pollution-free Hussain Sagar Lake. Sunil Kumar Gupta, IFS, Environment and Project Manager (HCIP) and Amala Akkineni, founder Blue Cross and environment activist.

“The people of Hyderabad should be made aware so that all of them make an effort to keep the Hussain Sagar clean. Solid waste disposal should be encouraged at the household level and then only can it make a difference,” said Amala who enthusiastically participated along with the students who made artwork out of solid waste.

The project, undertaken by SCIP and supported by JICA, Japan, has implemented various infrastructural facilities to prevent effluents from damaging Hussain Sagar Lake, including environment awareness, solid waste management and community toilets.

“We have implemented new ways of sewage treatment so that water is not drained in the lake and the garbage in the kale water is drained out of water. Lake is a lot cleaner and the number of birds around it is a proof to that. We hope to cleanse the lake by 2012 so that we can introduce new water sports and develop the area,” said Sunil Kumar Gupta.

“The biggest challenge is segregation of solid waste and to create waste-free zones in every colony in the city to prevent new dumping zones. The objective of this project is to educate people on recycling and stop indiscriminate disposal,” Major Shiva Kiran, Sukuki Exnora said. Sukuki, along with five other NGOs, have started their awareness program in 22 colonies near the lake area and promote better methods of solid waste.

“We should respect human dignity and not expect people to clean and segregate our garbage, every household has a major role to play in this,” Amala Akkineni said on the need to solid waste segregation.

Serene blue waters are being exploited by man-made waste and it is up to the people of Hyderabad to protect its beauty and water from becoming a dying pride and extend their cooperation for a healthy and clean Hyderabad.