Hyderabad’s groundwater levels face a critical challenge due to rapid urbanization and environmental factors. In response, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has launched a pioneering initiative to recharge groundwater through five strategically selected municipal parks. This project, employing the Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) model on a pilot basis, aims not only to mitigate groundwater depletion but also to alleviate waterlogging issues during heavy rainfall.
Selected Parks for Groundwater Recharge
Under the SAM model, GHMC has identified the following parks for groundwater recharge:
1. K L N Yadav Park, Khairatabad Zone
2. Techno Park, Serilingampally Zone
3. Indira Park, Secunderabad Zone
4. Kakatiya Nagar Colony Park, Habsiguda, LB Nagar Zone
5. Sainik Puri E-Sector Park
How It Works
The primary objective of this initiative is to install injection borewells that recharge aquifers during rainfall events. Rainwater collected from the parks’ watershed areas is directed into recharge pits, replenishing underground aquifers and subsequently boosting groundwater levels across Hyderabad.
The recent awareness program held at Kakatiya Nagar Colony Park highlighted the project’s benefits to local residents. With a watershed area of 685,738 sqm and an annual rainfall capacity of 53 lakh liters, this park alone underscores the significant potential for groundwater replenishment in urban settings.
Key Stakeholders and Participation
GHMC officials, including Additional Commissioner UBD Dr. Sunanda Rani and various technical experts, have actively engaged in executing and explaining the project’s technical aspects. This collaborative effort aims to not only improve groundwater levels but also foster community participation and awareness.