Hyacinth poses health risk to Mir Alam tank residents in Rajendranagar

Rajendranagar: The summer season is all set to begin soon but the long pending issue of hyacinth and algal blooms on the surface of historic Mir Alam lake has not yet been resolved which is posing health risk to the people living in surrounding areas.

Water hyacinth is known as fastest growing vine plant. If not controlled, it rapidly takes over the entire surface of lakes and ponds dramatically impacting water flow, blocking sunlight to underwater marine life, and starving the water of oxygen, often killing fishes and others. The hyacinth has covered almost all the embanking portion of the water body which otherwise looks pleasant and brimmed without the green weed. The eco-system of historic 215-year-old Mir Alam Tank consists of over 5.90 sq km of catchment area and flows amidst the hilly plateaus. While the surrounding areas of the water body has turned into densely populated habitations, the remaining portion of lake gasps for breath with the rapid growth of bright green water vine on the surface. According to the officials the present full tank level of the water body stands at 464 acres with a depth of over 15 mt. The tank covers Bahadurpura, Kishan Bagh, Attapur, Hyderguda and Rajendranagar on its surrounding.

Although the issue of mushrooming of hyacinth was taken up with the officials concerned for more than once, no action has been taken yet. People residing near to the lake are the first victims of the hyacinth as mosquito mayhem starts grooming with the summer season.

"Recently the GHMC Lake Wing brought trash collectors and took up the removal of hyacinth, algal blooms and weeds from various water bodies. They even selected several takes and ponds to clear up the trash and vines spread over the surface. However, Mir Alam Tank is not in the list despite the issue was brought to their notice time and again," said Mohammed Zaheeruddin, a social activist from Sulaiman Nagar. Asserting that hyacinth has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other parasites, he said people living in surrounding areas aren't able to sleep with tranquility during night hours. "These plants are posing a health risk for the life of locals especially the children," he added.