Hyacinth Eclipses Durgam Cheruvu’s Tourist Appeal
More than half of the lake’s surface is covered with the invasive weed.
Hyderabad: The Durgam Cheruvu lake, located in the heart of western Hyderabad, is facing a serious environmental problem, with large parts of the lake covered with water hyacinth, causing a strong and unpleasant smell that is affecting visitors and nearby areas.
More than half of the lake’s surface is covered with the invasive weed. The unchecked growth of water hyacinth has led to stagnant water conditions. Environmental experts said that water hyacinth not only causes bad smells but also harms aquatic life.
“The plant consumes large amounts of oxygen from the water, which can lead to the death of fish and other organisms. It also blocks sunlight and creates bad odour,” said Madhusudhan, a private biologist.
Despite the growing complaints, civic agencies such as the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have not made any moves to clear the water hyacinth from the lake.
Many visitors, speaking with Deccan Chronicle, complained that the stench is making it difficult to spend time at the park and around the lake. Hundreds of people visit the cable bridge and the Durgam Cheruvu Lakefront Park every day.
Shiva Reddy, who visited the Durgam Cheruvu cable bridge on Thursday afternoon, said, “It absolutely reeks here. I got my son and wife with me to visit the bridge and see the lake, but the smell is very bad. The entire lake is full of that green hyacinth, which has ruined the lake’s beauty.”
A netizen on X wrote, “This is the state of Durgam Cheruvu, which is killing the aquatic life in it. Please take action.”
