Residential colonies are replacing tanks like Bala Samundar, Chinna Waddepally
Shrinking expanse:Buildings coming up around the Chinna Waddepally tank in Desaipet area of Warangal .— Photo: M. Murali
The Nizam-era Bala Samundar tank that catered to the
drinking water needs of Hanamkonda town has disappeared over the
decades. In its place, a residential colony `Balasamudram’ has come up,
the land there being most sought after.
Senior citizen and academic G. Srinivas in his memoirs Magic of the Middles
beautifully documented the times when people came in bullock carts with huge pots to draw water from the Bala Samundar.However, now, there are no chirping birds and white cranes that once enchanted the children in the region.
The
Chinna Waddepally tank in Desaipet area in Warangal town is facing the
same fate. Once spread over 200 acres with huge catchment area and
ayacut under it, it was a haven for the townsfolk.
Presently,
it neither has the catchment nor the ayacut. Scores of residential
colonies have come up all around, reducing it to a mere puddle. With
individuals eyeing the precious land in its tank bed, some active
citizens floated the ‘Chinna Waddepally Parirakshana Committee’ to
highlight the encroachment of tank land. since 2000.
The
Mandal Revenue Officers of Warangal town brought the encroachment to
the notice of District Collectors in 2003 and 2010. They urged the
Collector to direct municipal authorities not to give door numbers and
not to provide any facilities to houses that came up in the tank bed.
Over the years, the boundaries of the tank disappeared. It has now completely dried up due to the absence of a catchment area.It only stores rain water and is mainly used for Ganesh idols’ immersion.
The
local chapter of INTACH in its Public Interest Litigation filed before
the High Court prayed for the preservation and protection of several
tanks including the Chinna Waddepally tank. “It is time that boundaries
are fixed and a bund laid all around to prevent further encroachment.
The tank can be used for storing water to meet drinking water needs
during summer. It will also help recharge ground water, lessening the
burden on the municipal corporation,” the organisation stated before the
High Court.
