Once known as the ‘City of Lakes’, Hyderabad has lost thousands of these water bodies to rapid urbanisation in the past couple of decades – 3,000, to be precise. According to archives belonging to the Nizam era, it once had 60,000 lakes that helped residents meet their drinking water needs and absorb excess water to prevent floods. However, thanks to urbanisation, only 185 lakes remain in the city, and face a constant threat.
However, a school in the city is trying to set an example by reviving the 12-acre Meedi Kunta Lake in Hafeezpet, which has impacted 9,000 residents in the vicinity. It all started in 2019, when Meghana Musunuri, the founder of Fountainhead School, began a conversation on civil rights with students of Class IV and V.
“A discussion was initiated with students to explain citizen rights, and how the kids could play a responsible role in society. The talks led to the realisation that students did not have a sense of ownership towards natural assets such…