HYDRA has undertaken a serious effort to protect and rejuvenate the water bodies in Hyderabad. Many lakes and ponds were occupied by building structures in illegal occupation, thus disfiguring the environment and shrinking space for water retention.

Why HYDRA is Taking Action
HYDRA was formed to protect lakes and ponds from encroachment in government properties. The organization is now engaged in clearing these encroachments to bring back the lakes and ponds to their original shape. It uses old land records, satellite images to identify the sites where ponds and lakes have either disappeared or shrunk due to unauthorized buildings. 
What HYDRA is Doing
Very recently, 43.94 acres of land occupied along the Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad has been reclaimed by HYDRA. It is aimed at razing unauthorized buildings, including houses and shops, constructed on the FTL of lakes and ponds. The agency has mainly targeted lakes of prime importance like Gandipet and Himayat Sagar for its restoration and to stop any further damage.

Cooperation for a Mutual Cause
Demolition work, in fact, is a collective effort by several government departments such as the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Irrigation Department and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), in putting down the structures and retrieving the stolen government lands. These groups are jointly working together to ensure all illegal structures are removed and government lands are returned to their natural state. There is strong security during such demolitions to counter any opposition from property owners to ensure no law-and-order disturbance takes place.

Difficulties Encountered
While the efforts of HYDRA have been fruitful, they are not without their share of failures. Demolitions have been termed as unjust or disastrous to the local economy by many a political leader and property owners. But HYDRA claims the intention behind its functioning is to keep Hyderabad’s natural resources and environment healthy for one and all.

Plans for the Future
HYDRA thus proposes to continue its work across Hyderabad, particularly in areas where lakes and ponds have been represented by illegal buildings. The agency also intends to work in coordination with other departments, by putting a smoother mechanism for issuance of notices. Plans are also afoot to set up a special police station for faster disposal of causes related to land encroachments.

Demolition by HYDRA, though a necessary act, is one step closer to safeguard the atmosphere and the water resources of Hyderabad. The reclaiming of the encroached lands and restoring them as water bodies has gone a long way for HYDRA in preserving natural beauty and promising a better tomorrow for its denizens. The move just underlines the need to follow environment laws and the will of the government to safeguard the ecological balance of Hyderabad. Until the work HYDRA is undertaking has been put into action, then illegal buildings will likely be torn down, adding to the general welfare of Hyderabad and its citizens.