Encroachment and Waste Dumping Shrink Golconda’s Historic Shah Hatim Lake
The Shah Hatim lake once spread over more than 100 acres, but only about 30 acres remained today.
Hyderabad: Garbage and debris dumping at the Shah Hatim lake in Golconda has become so severe that it was affecting the water storage area as well as blocking the natural inflow channels. An outlet constructed to the lake last year had resulted in reduction of the water level.
Local resident Habeeb said that until a few years ago, the Shah Hatim lake was a thriving habitat visited regularly by migratory birds, but they were not seen of late due to the deteriorating condition of the lake environs. In addition, locals alleged that the lake land was being encroached upon. They said despite repeated representations, officials had not taken action to protect the lake from pollution and encroachments.
The Shah Hatim lake once spread over more than 100 acres, but only about 30 acres remained today.
Heritage watch convener Ilyas Khan said that though the lake was cleared earlier following the complaints, fresh soil and debris are being dumped into it. “I have been watching this lake since childhood, and we even used the fresh water,” he said.
“The lake has been neglected for more than a decade. Located just 20 feet from the Golconda fort wall,” said another local Md Afzal. The polluted lake not only makes the heritage structure appear ugly but also poses a health hazard to residents.
Locals also alleged that all the four water bodies under the Golconda Fort — Jamalikunta and the Shah Hatim, Naya Qila and Lunger Houz lakes — were polluted and being converted into dumping yards and encroached upon, locals said.
During the Qutb Shahi period, these natural resources were used for the protection of Golconda fort, based on which a big garden was constructed inside the Naya Qila.
