Abstract:
Hyderabad is the fastest growing city in India. During the last 40 years, the population of Hyderabad has grown rapidly from 1.4 million (1961) to almost 5 million at present. Simultaneously, population density increased by 50% and land use changed dramatically in large parts of the city. Historically, urban lakes have been used as a buffer for runoff and as storage of rainwater for later use. In the past, Hyderabad counted more than 500 artificial and natural lakes. Artificial lakes were formed by constructing bunds across seasonal streams. Lakes were interconnected so that during high intensity rainfall, higher lakes overflowed in lakes lower down the watershed. Stored rainwater was used for domestic and irrigation purposes. As a result of the rapid and uncontrolled urban growth and the consequent changes of land use, the functioning of this network of urban lakes is deteriorating rapidly: lakes have been encroached upon and polluted, and linkages have been blocked. The number of water bodies, once 530 is down to 150 at present.
