How H-CITI Will Destroy The Hydrological Structure Of KBR Nat’nl Park

Golconda Fort is perhaps the only major fort in the Deccan that was able to withstand multiple sieges. Though the Fort did not have a perineal source of water, fresh water was brought to the citadel through a complex gravity driven hydrological system, which incorporated a network of underground pipes, aqueducts and deep stepwells, with Persian wheels pumping the water to increasingly higher elevations. This hydrological infrastructure was one of the most advanced in the world at its time, and continues to be studied with awe in the present day. The same principles of hydrology were incorporated while building the city of Hyderabad, and they were built upon in the early decades of the 20th century by M. Visvesvaraiah who had been engaged to make the city flood proof after the floods of 1908. The modern city of Hyderabad, therefore, inherited a good water supply and sewerage system. Hydrological Significance of KBR National Park KBR National Park, which is situated on the KBR- Chiran ridge at a high elevation between Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills plays a key role in regulating the hydrological cycle of Hyderabad. The central ridge which runs through the 390 acre National Park, has always regulated the rainwater runoff in multiple directions, ensuring the supply of water to the surrounding lakes- Durvam Cheravu, Lotus Pond, Enugula Kunta and Taj Banjara Lake. While some of these stream systems have already been by unregulated construction affected by urbanisation, the National Park still continues to perform a critical role in managing rainwater runoff. There are between 14 to 20 natural and waterbodies within the KBR National Park which are interconnected through a system of retaining walls, sluices and check dams. Between them, these waterbodies slow down rainwater runoff and prevent soil erosion. They also serve as a perineal source of water for the animals birds and reptiles which live within the National Park. In winter, the 16 acre Chiran Kunta, which is the largest of the waterbodies in the National Park, plays host to flocks of migratory birds. The thick canopy of trees within KBR National Park serves to reduce the ferocity of rainfall, thereby allowing it to fall gently on the ground. The roots of these trees also enable the rainwater to percolate into the soil and recharge groundwater aquifers which serve the neighbouring areas. The rapid pace of urbanisation in the neighbourhood of KBR National Park has already had an adverse impact on the hydrological systems, resulting in water logging, flooding and sewerage inundation. The proposed H-CITI Project with seven flyovers and seven underpasses will cause irreversible damage to the hydrological balance of the area, which is already suffering due to unchecked construction. H-CITI Project will have an adverse effect on the existing system The network of flyovers and underpasses around KBR National Park will necessarily include the construction of massive underground stumps and the setting up of a network of RCC pipes. This will result in drainage channels being cut off, and the rainwater collected will get diverted into storm water drains or to the sewer network, thereby reducing the amount of water that recharges groundwater aquifers. The neighbouring Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills are already reeling under water shortage and this project will further worsen the situation. The H-CITI Project will involve felling 1942 mature trees in and around KBR National Park. Removing trees always reduces the recharge capacity of the ground. More importantly, after the trees are removed, open ground will be concretised, which will further reduce the amount of water percolating into the soil. While there will certainly be compensatory afforestation in lieu of the trees that are to be felled, the groundwater situation in the neighbourhood around KBR National Park which is already critically exploited will deteriorate further. The underground stumps of the H-CITI project will concretise open surfaces, and block existing drainage channels. This will drastically shrink the catchment area of the 16 acre Chiran Kunta, and could potentially lead to the perineal water body becoming little more than a shrub-choked puddle. Unfortunately, since an Environmental Impact Assessment has not been conducted for the H-CITI project, the hydrological impact of the project on the area in and around KBR National Park has not been properly examined before deciding whether or not to go ahead with the project. Golconda Fort was able to defend itself because it ensured that it never ran out of water. Unfortunately, Hyderabad has chosen to turn its back on traditional knowledge, and is systematically dismantling its existing hydrological infrastructure. We hope the city wakes up before it is too late.