Welcome to

5th GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY SUMMIT FOR CITIES AND

SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS

Dr. Suvarna Chandrappagari

Member Secretary, Telangana State Biodiversity Board

Hyderabad, India

suvarnac@yahoo.com

Conserving precious urban

fresh water bodies – a case

study from Telangana, India

Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana State, is

the fifth largest city of India. A 400 year

old metropolis is known for its rich culture,

grand history, delicious food and Information

Technology.

The city has an estimated population of around

8 million, making it 4th largest city in India

History of Hyderabad

Fifth-largest contributor city to India's overall GDP with a sobriquet "City of

Pearls“.

The Telangana State is hub for various industries like more than 300

Seed, 500 Ayurveda & Unani, 150 pharma, 150 Agri-food Processing

units, 100 nutraceuticals, 50 Bio-pesticides, 150 biotech (Genome vally),

70 bio-control labs, located in Hyderabad and more than 950

bioresources are being used by the industries for commercial purpose and

export. More the 100 CSIR, ICAR, DST, DBT, ICFRE, institutions are

located in Hyderabad.

Map of Ameenpur lake

Chain lakes around the Ameenpur BHS

The Ameenpur Lake is one of the few urban fresh water bodies

left out in Telangana. Originally served as an irrigation tank as

part of chain of tanks, but later got disconnected from the rest.

It is the most sought –after haunt for bird watchers as a variety of

avian species including migratory and resident bird species visit

the lake. This Lake supports fisheries as well.

Rich Biodiversity is available at Ameenpur Lake with a variety of

herbs, shrubs, creepers, medicinal flora, trees, animals, reptiles,

birds, insects, microbes, etc.

Around 219 species of birds (migratory & residents), 250 plant

species (including rare & medicinal), 9 fish species, 26 aquatic

beetles, 41 butterfly species, 33 species of invertebrates, 12

amphibian species, 33 reptiles species, 9 species of wild animals

and millet diversity is available in the area.

Biodiversity of Ameenpur lake:

Flamingoes are regular visitors to the lake

Other birds

Other Diversity

Encroachment,

Dumping of garbage,

Municipal waste,

Drainage water,

Rock and sand mining,

Industrial pollutants,

illegal commercial ground water tapping through bore wells,

Killing of migratory birds etc,.

Threats to the lake

Volunteers during the cleaning & plantation drive

To strengthen the biodiversity conservation and to stem the rapid

loss of biodiversity by avoiding environment degradation by

giving a special attention.

To achieve the link between livelihood security & biodiversity

conservation of the area.

To instill pride & honor in the community regarding the

biodiversity conservation taken up through their participation.

To ensure availability of the natural resources & precious

biodiversity to their future generations.

Objectives of the Biodiversity heritage Site

proposal

Developed the Biodiversity profile of Ameenpur lake.

Organized series of awareness programs to the Ameenpur

villagers by involving other stakeholders like Telangana Special

Protection Force, Hyderabad Birding Pals, Friends of Flora &

Fauna and line departments (Revenue, Irrigation, Pollution

Control Board).

Constituted the Biodiversity Management Committee, Ameenpur

in a participatory manner.

Resolution was passed by the BMC for declaration of BHS.

Consent received from District Collector & Magistrate and

Chairperson, Zilla Parishad, Medak District on BHS.

Methodology for declaration

Placed the proposal in the Expert Committee on BDHS for

discussions and Board meeting for approval.

Proposal included water spread area of 93.15 Acres and adjacent

170.00 acre land in the management plan

Government of Telangana issued preliminary notification for

declaration of Ameenpur lake as BDHS calling for objections

within 30 days.

Organized a public hearing at Ameenpur village involving all the

stakeholders.

The Govt of TS issued final Gazette notification declaring the

particular site as Biodiversity Heritage Site in November 2016 as

per Section 37 of the National Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Methodology for declaration

Specifying the boundaries, prior surveying with mapping of the

BHS with clear administrative boundaries and specifying the

restrictions, if any.

livelihood enhancement for fisherman community, controlling the

Tilapia population

Preparation of plans and schemes to eliminate biodiversity-

damaging practices

De-silting of feeder channels, establishment of Sewerage

Treatment Plant, developing proper garbage system etc.,

Constituting Monitoring Committee at state level & Biodiversity

Heritage Site Management Committee at field level.

The Journey has just begun…Let us see how best we can march

ahead!!!

Next what ????

THANK YOU