To absorb massive influx of population from the rural side, the city needs to be equipped with small surrounding towns upgraded as satellite towns with all necessary paraphernalia, observed Tourism Secretary Jayesh Ranjan here on Thursday.
Workshop theme
Participating in a workshop ‘Climate Change and Managing Water in the City of Hyderabad' organised by University of Hyderabad's Centre for Regional Studies and CMS Vatavaran, Mr. Ranjan stressed the need for the city to be prepared for a worst-case scenario of large scale migration resulting from climatic changes.
Vikarabad proposal
There was a proposal to develop Vikarabad by upgrading infrastructure there, but the need was to convert more similar existing towns around the city.
About 28 self-contained mini-townships have been proposed along the Outer Ring Road, but if there were to be unforeseen influx, they would not be able to accommodate these ‘climate refugees', he noted.
Critical essentials
The critical essentials for relocations included adequate source of livelihood, housing, social infrastructure and transport.
In her presentation, the A.P. Pollution Control Board Senior Environmental Scientist, K.V. Ramani, outlined various initiatives taken for protection of water bodies, including Hussainsagar. Efforts were on to ensure the standards were restored to river water, she said.
Guest speakers
The deliberations also had the participation of independent researcher Jasveen Jairath, WWF-Andhra Pradesh State Committee Chairman Anil Kumar V.Epur and others. participated in the workshop
