Date:04/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110458530200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Museum showcasing Hussainsagar

Global invitation for development of the facility extended
An extent of 1,200 sq.mts earmarked in Lumbini Park

HYDERABAD: An Environmental Science Museum with focus on water bodies and Hussainsagar in particular is to come up along the lake shores at Lumbini Park. As part of the initiative, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has extended global invitation for development of the facility on international standards.

The three-storied proposed structure will showcase the Hussainsagar lake with sections on associated history, deterioration over the decades, effects of pollution and the efforts taken up to restore the water body’s past glory.

The HMDA as part of an effort to improve and restore historical lakes under various schemes with internal and ODA funds, has planned the project to impart education in environmental sciences for all ages.

Environment education

For the purpose, an extent of 1,200 sq.mts with a framed structure of an area 14,000 sft within the Lumbini Park and facing the lake has been earmarked.

“We want to provide environment education with a focus on Hussainsagar lake and create awareness on how the water body is getting polluted with indiscriminate discharge of effluents, solid waste and domestic waste,” says Vivek Deshmukh, HMDA Chief Engineer.

Issues such as ground water contamination and possible health effects resulting from it, the authority’s works on cleaning the lake will also be part of the project apart from a replica of Hussainsagar.

The other water bodies in and around the city will also be showcased in a separate section. Reputed national and international firms with proven track record have been

invited for pre-qualification to plan, design, construct and operate and maintain the proposed environmental science museum.

“Biwa, one of the biggest lakes in Japan has a similar museum and we plan to develop the facility here on the same lines,” Mr.Deshmukh adds. Lake Biwa, in the Central Japan is considered one of the world’s few ancient lakes and is also the largest freshwater lake there.

The Lake Biwa Museum has galleries tracing the long history of the lake and houses a research wing and a large freshwater aquarium displaying many of the endemic species from the water body.