Environmental activist challenges HMDA's lake conversion plan in Maisammaguda

Medchal: Environmentalists have decried the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority's (HMDA) recent notification to convert a water body and buffer zone into a residential area in Medchal-Malkajgiri District on Tuesday.

The notification, which was in the eye of the storm, issued on January 10, 2025. It proposes to redesignate approximately 8,980 square meters of land in Gundlapochampally Village from a water body and buffer zone to a residential zone.

In her objection, environmentalist Dr. Lubna Sarwath points out several discrepancies in the notification. She notes that the mentioned survey numbers don't appear in the village's cadastral maps, though the area contains Gollonikunta lake in Maisammaguda Village.

In support of her objections, she reportedly shared screenshots of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) cadastral map from 2009 to 2023. The activist also highlights that several educational institutions, including Malla Reddy Institute, Narasimha Reddy Institute, and Dulapally Institutes, are nearby.

According to the objection, these institutions have damaged the lake's outflow channels on its southern side. Dr. Sarwath argues the conversion violates Section 14(3) of the HMDA Act 2008 and contradicts Supreme Court and High Court orders. The objection letter suggests the conversion is attempted on an already encroached area, evidenced by NRSC images and Google Earth satellite imagery.

The activist has demanded that HMDA withdraw the notification within a week. Failing this, she warned of pursuing legal action through criminal and civil courts to cancel the notification and restore Gollonikunta lake. "Instead of protecting and rejuvenating water bodies and buffer zones, you are going against your duty and converting lakes to land, which is not permitted," read the objection letter addressed to Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority.