hose small dry land patches in the Hussainsagar lake would soon be converted into a chain of islets, hosting a variety of bird species and offering them facilities to nest, breed and roost.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is working on a proposal to develop a group of bird islands in the water body between Sanjeevaiah Park and Jal Vihar.
A recent study of the winged creatures around Hussainsagar has shown the presence of 67 different bird species with more expected to migrate here during the winter months.
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The plan being drawn up looks at developing these inhabitations for birds using the dredged sediments from the lake itself, particularly close to the inlet from Kukatpally nala.
“Between Sanjeevaiah Park and Jal Vihar in the lake is the silent zone as it is a bit away from the heavy traffic corridors of Tank Bund and Necklace Road and well suited to develop inhabitation for birds,” said an official.
The idea is to use small land patches in these shallow areas and pile up sediment collected from lake bed through dredging. “Heaps of sediments with edges properly contoured will not take much cost or effort. Since the sediment from the lake itself is used, there will be no external material coming in to create the islands,” explained a consultant associated with the project.
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Appropriate big and small tree plantation will be taken up for nests and also conditions created for birds laying eggs on the ground. Small aquatic plants complete the plantation plan which was being worked out by the HMDA and consultants NJS Co.
Officials said some of the islets lands could be developed as small 500 square yards to 600 square yards ones.
Aesthetics
“Hussainsagar benefits every way, as dredging would mean increasing the water holding capacity of the lake, aesthetics created with dots of greenery in the water and also increase the bird presence,” he said.
A recent survey of Hussainsagar and green spaces along the shoreline has shown an overall increase in density of bird presence. Officials and consultants associated with the lake development project said no disappearance of bird species has been documented even among the aquatic birds.
Black kite, black-crowned heron, common coot and spot-billed duck were found in large numbers while stilt birds were spotted time and again.
In the water logging areas near Sanjeevaiah Park, purple swamphen were found. Also spotted were species such as the little egret, kingfishers and greater coucal. “Common coots are seen round-the-year and spot-billed ducks are found in large numbers” said an official.
Towers proposed
Bird watching towers have been proposed in quiet spaces along the Hussainsagar shoreline with facilities for enthusiastic bird watchers. As of now, three spots have been identified, one in a secluded groove near PV Ghat and two in the lake shoreline of Sanjeevaiah Park.
Circular towers of about 10 feet and more have been planned and these would be set up as temporary pre-fabricated structures.
Heaps of sediment with edges properly contoured will not take much cost or effort. Since the sediment from the lake itself will be used, there will be no external material coming in to create the islands
Project consultant