In Visakhapatnam, the degradation of water bodies has become a pressing issue due to a combination of factors including heavy siltation, encroachment by invasive species, illegal fencing, and conversion into plots. According to data from the Survey of India, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) administers 179 water bodies, with 115 having updated status reports and 40 requiring immediate restoration. This includes 25 irrigation tanks, 154 ponds, 15 springs, and two temple tanks scattered across the city.
Lokesh Sinram, a senior project executive from the Centre for Urban Water Resources at the Dhan Foundation, underscored the detrimental effects of unplanned urbanization on these water bodies. He highlighted issues such as encroachment, sewage disposal, groundwater depletion, inadequate administrative oversight, and insufficient community involvement as major threats facing urban water bodies and their associated drainage systems.
In Visakhapatnam, many of these water bodies suffer from neglect and poor maintenance, exacerbated by inadequate waste management and pollution control measures. Urban development activities like land reclamation and construction have further reduced the size and altered the natural flow patterns of these water bodies.
The impact of urbanization is stark in certain zones of the GVMC, particularly Zones 3, 4, and 5, which lack significant water bodies despite their urban sprawl. Additionally, the natural springs in hills such as Simhachalam, Kambalakonda, and Yarada, which historically served as crucial water sources, are dwindling due to activities like quarrying, mining, deforestation, and changes in land use.
Lokesh pointed out the cultural and historical significance of these water sources, particularly highlighting the role of springs in the religious practices of places like the Simhachalam temple. He lamented the decline in the number and functionality of these springs, noting their diminishing presence in local memory and reduced reliance on them for water supply.
Efforts are underway by organizations like the Dhan Foundation to restore and conserve water bodies in Visakhapatnam. They have successfully restored two water bodies and plan to undertake five more pending local approvals. Lokesh stressed the importance of community-driven ecological initiatives and the establishment of a coordination committee to address these pressing environmental concerns.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens Forum (GVCF) has also advocated for collaborative efforts to ensure a sustainable water future for Visakhapatnam. During a recent event organized by GVCF, stakeholders discussed the urgent need for concerted action to preserve and rejuvenate the city's water resources amidst ongoing urbanization pressures.