No Ganesh Immersions at Kapra Lake, Says HYDRAA Commissioner

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath has ruled out Ganesh idol immersions at Kapra Lake, saying the city’s ecologically significant water body must be protected from activities that could harm its rich biodiversity.

During a visit to the lake to review ongoing development works, Ranganath held discussions with local representatives of the Bhagyanagar Utsav Committee and asked them to make alternative arrangements for the upcoming Ganesh immersion processions.

Kapra Lake, he said, is not merely a water body but an important urban wetland recognised for its role in maintaining Hyderabad’s ecological balance. The lake serves as a habitat for more than 470 species of migratory birds, including birds arriving from regions such as Australia and Europe.

“Protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility,” Ranganath said, underlining the need to preserve the lake’s fragile ecosystem.

He suggested that smaller Ganesh idols could be immersed in the Baby Pond located near the lake, while organisers were advised to identify alternative locations for the immersion of larger idols.

The Commissioner said that although nearly 70 per cent of the lake area comprises private patta land, landowners have been cooperating with authorities in the restoration and development of the water body. Spread across 113 acres, Kapra Lake is being developed with an emphasis on floodwater storage, groundwater recharge, biodiversity conservation and the protection of bird habitats.

Representatives of the Kapra Lake Revival Group met the Commissioner during his visit and urged the authorities to ensure the lake’s comprehensive development without compromising its environmental value. Ranganath also visited a photo exhibition showcasing migratory birds associated with the wetland.

Authorities are taking steps to protect the lake’s boundaries, prevent encroachments and curb pollution in line with the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, Ranganath said.