Hyderabad will be showcasing its work on restoration of lakes within the city in an international workshop on ‘urban lakes, conservation and management’ being organised in the city from June 16. This will be the first time in the world where an international meet will solely focus on urban lakes.Three years back, a massive project to revive 100-odd lakes of Hyderabad was undertaken by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA).HUDA already has worked on three lakes where they have installed sewage treatment plants, connected all settlements to it and have built concrete bunds around the lakes which are proving to be major tourist attractions. In 60 smaller lakes, they have made arrangements for tertiary treatment of sewage.Scheduled for completion in 2006, 80 per cent of the total cost of the project (Rs 126 crore) has been given as grant by the Netherlands.Encouraged by HUDA’s success, interest has been shown by Delhi Development Authority and the Haryana Urban Development Minister apart from the Southern states.During the three-day workshop, being held under the aegis of HUDA, Andhra Pradesh will share its experience in lake management with other states of the country and foreign participants.‘‘The purpose of this workshop is to share our experiences well as learn from other states and countries to try and restore urban lakes in the country’s metros which have suffered the brunt of urbanisation,’’ HUDA vice-chairman Lakshmi Parthasarathy told reporters here today.The need for such steps arose as a number of lakes in Hyderabad had become heavily polluted due to effects of urbanisation, leading to contamination of ground water, spread of diseases and loss of biodiversity. As part of the project, the lakes to be restored would be treated in a ‘‘chain-like manner’’, so that water from one would flow into the other.Besides delegates from various states of the country, countries like the UK, US, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and Zimbabwe are expected to participate in the workshop.
