According a befitting welcome to the ‘winged’ friends from across borders were scores of nature lovers from the city who assembled at the Ameenpur lake on Sunday morning.
Youngsters, activists and government staff took an active part in cleaning up the periphery of the lake and rid it of waste which was posing a threat to the migratory birds. At the end of the three-hour campaign, two trucks and two tractors full of trash was collected, which included all kinds of plastic waste, liquor bottles, used clothes and footwear besides others.
The campaign was organised by Hyderabad Birding Pals, Phulkari and Telangana State Special Protection Force (TSSPF) with the support of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and other government bodies.
“We have cleaned almost 80 per cent of the periphery lands surrounding the lake including the nesting area,” said Harikrishna Adepu of Hyderabad Birding Pals. “The Ameenpur lake is the paradise for birds as more than 160 species of birds can be spotted here. The lake is also home to a number of migratory birds who visit the lake every year. The increasing trash being strewn near the lake is resulting in the death of many birds which melted our hearts. We wanted to give a better place for the migrant birds as their arrival season is about to begin.”
Mr. Harikrishna informed that similar campaigns will be undertaken not just in the Ameenpur lake, but near other water bodies in and around the city.
TSSPF Director General Tejdeep Kaur Menon participated in the drive along with 150 volunteers of her academy. “This lake is abutting our academy and we want to conserve it. I also spoke to the District Collector and revenue officials regarding clearing encroachments, preventing pollution and also to stop bursting fire crackers near the lake. Volunteers from our academy will clean city lakes once a month,” she said.
Later, she participated in another green initiative held inside the academy where 700 saplings of various kinds were planted.
Let the small live
Waste posing threat to migratory birds
Trash strewn around the lake has resulted in the death of many birds
Campaign
Organised by Hyderabad Birding Pals, Phulkari and Telangana State Special Protection Force
Supported by GHMC and other government bodies
80 per cent of the periphery lands surrounding the lake cleaned so far
TSSPF Director-General participates with 150 volunteers from the academy
Quote
Similar campaigns will be undertaken not just in the Ameenpur lake, but near other water bodies in and around the city – Harikrishna Adepu, Hyderabad Birding Pals
