Hyderabad: Locals have raised concerns about illegal dumping of debris and soil into Gundlapochampally’s Narayan Cheruvu, allegedly carried out by unidentified individuals which is threatening the lake’s ecosystem.

Residents have reported seeing truckloads of construction debris and soil being tipped into the lake at night. Despite complaints to the authorities, no action has been taken so far.

“They are coming in with trucks full of debris and dump in late at night,” said T. Hanumanth, a local fisherman. “We don’t know who it is, who is dumping it. But they are doing it at several places in the lake”, he added.

Residents fear that the unchecked dumping will not only affect the lake but also lead to long-term environmental damage in the area.

Hanumanth said “We have informed the irrigation department authorities multiple times, but they shrug it off. Along with that, they ask us to catch hold of the truckers who dump the debris into the lakes and let them know, and then they will take action”

“This is not just a lake; it’s a lifeline for many of us. Me and many of us in the area survive through fisheries from the lake”, Hanumanth added.

Rajendra Naik, a resident of a gated community in Gundlapochampally, said, “Everyday I walk along the lake early in the morning, and every few days, I keep seeing slightly more debris being dumped into the lake. This shouldn’t be happening.”

He said a one-room structure which was being raised on the land. After several complaints, it was only partially demolished. “They didn’t even demolish it completely, and all the debris is still there.”

Residents have urged the Gundlapochampally municipal authorities and HYDRAA to take action against the encroachers to protect the lake before it is too late.