Almost two years after the allocation of Rs 19.2 crore for restoration, Gangaram lake in Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad, has almost dried up. The amount was allocated in 2018 under Mission Kakatiya of the Telangana government, which aims to revive and restore irrigation sources in the state. Under the mission, the lake was set to get a facelift with a walking track, a cycling track, sewage diversion system and an open gym.
However, "the lake is surrounded by illegal constructions that were first observed by locals in 2016. That was when the people came together and formed Gangaram Lake Restoration Foundation (GLARE) to create awareness," Saiparasad Cherukuri, secretary, GLARE Foundation, told LCW. "Construction around the lake has reduced its catchment area and polluted the water," he said.
Over the years, the polluted lake had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The water quality degraded, emitting a stench. Growth of hyacinth was another problem. "The lake was a source of livelihood to the fisherfolk community in the area. With increasing pollution and vanishing aquatic life, fishing has been affected," Saiprasad said.
The people have demanded the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) authorities to control the lake's contamination due to untreated sewage and various effluents and demarcate the lake boundary with makrings and fence. According to Saiprasad, the lake's area has reduced from 110 acres to 60-70 acres at present. However, plot owners who have allegedly encroached the lake approached the Telangana high court, stating that their lands were not in the FTL (full tank level) zone when they were purchased. Saiprasad refutes this claim because it is not possible "to claim a land under the water".
The process of lake restoration was planned in two stages: sewage diversion followed by desilting. However, the work stopped due to growing illegal encroachments. Banners of private plots and fences started to crop up in and around the lake boundary as soon as the lake was emptied. People started using bulldozers to level the FTL land. FTL is the highest level up to which water can be stored in a lake/tank.
"Gangaram lake is completely dried up as encroachers have taken to ground levelling," a resident, who does not wish to be named, told LCW. "The talk is that while half of the land will be converted to a lake, the other half would be used for real estate through government lobbying. A huge residential gated community, a politician's venture, may come up soon," he added.
In June 2020, the Telangana High Court, in a case similar to that of the Gangaram lake, directed officials to remove all constructions from the buffer zone surrounding the lake as they are clear encroachments. As of August 2020, the rejuvenation work for Gangaram lake was 50 percent completed.
In February 2024, the Telangana High Court had set up a two-member panel to inspect 16 lakes, including Gangaram Pedda Cheruvu, Durgam Cheruvu, and others. The panel was to review encroachments, demarcation, fencing, and sewage connections, and then report its findings to the court. Based on the findings of the panel, the court in March 2024 had directed the government to restore the lakes to their original status within a month and furnish an action taken report.
In April 2024, Justice EV Venugopal wrote a letter the Telangana High Court Chief Justice highlighting illegal encroachments on ponds and lakes in Hyderabad. Following which, the court filed a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and ordered numerous government bodies, such as the Chief Secretary, GHMC, HMDA, and Hyderabad and Rangareddy district Collectors to submit a report within four weeks detailing actions taken against illegal lake constructions.
In August 2024, the state government started taking action against illegal constructions around lakes and water bodies. The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HYDRA) served notices to 65 families in the Champapet area for violating regulations by constructing houses in Gangaram Pedda Cheruvu.
HYDRA Commissioner AV Ranganath inspected Gangaram Lake in March 2025 to identify encroachments and prevent further environmental damage. During the visit, the Commissioner stated that cases had already been filed against individuals responsible for dumping soil in the lake. He emphasised that with the establishment of the HYDRA police station, authorities would take direct action against those encroaching upon water bodies.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Control the lake's contamination and demarcate the lake boundary to stop further encroachment.
Region Classification
Urban
Type of Land
Common
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Water bodies
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
19.2
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2018
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Other, Environmental Law
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Lack of legal protection over land rights
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency)
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Local people, Gangaram Lake Restoration Foundation (GLARE)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
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Faizi is a data journalist and researcher interested in the environment, rural development and livelihoods. He currently works with The India Forum and has previously worked with IndiaSpend, The Hindu and The Week.
