No more murky water: Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad goes hi-tech to save animals
By: Siddanth.Nair
HYDERABAD: In a major revamp aimed at safeguarding animal health, Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) will replace its traditional water moats with mud-filled dry moats and glass viewing panels.
The revamp will begin with the tiger enclosure in the next couple of months. The reason? To eliminate the long-standing threat posed by polluted water from the adjacent Mir Alam tank.
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'Water from the tank has previously caused health issues for animals and administrative challenges for us. By removing it altogether, we no longer have to worry,' said NZP director Sunil S Hiremath.
The contaminated water, which flows through the zoo via underground channels, has been linked to several animal deaths.
Between 2018 and 2019, 58 animals reportedly died due to liver cirrhosis believed tobe caused by polluted water. Another study in 2022 by BITS Pilani (Hyderabad campus) found dissolved oxygen levels in the tank at just 3.4 mg/l — far below the UNEP-recommended 10 mg/l.
'Residential and industrial waste from nearby areas is constantly dumped into the lake. Encroachments are increasing and the lake's area has shrunk from 650 to under 300 acres.
Despite big-ticket govt announcements, no real clean-up has happened,' said Ishtiyaq Sharif, co-convener of Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL).
Veterinary officials have warned of long-term damage to animals' kidneys due to exposure to water contaminated with heavy metals and bacteria. 'We are planning to install a sewage treatment plant near the tank soon,' said MA Hakim, deputy director, veterinary wing.
Immersive experience
The redesign will also help reduce zoo maintenance costs, which currently run over Rs 1 crore per enclosure annually due to high water use.
Zoo officials said the new layout will not only be cost-effective but also enhance the visitor experience.
'The dry moats will give animals more space and visitors a closer, immersive view,' said Deepak Tarun, an educator at the zoo.
How's zoo dealing with contamination?
To tackle water contamination, Nehru Zoo now relies on borewells and regular water testing. Drinking water is supplied by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, while 32 borewells, each 3.5 inches wide, meet trench and enclosure needs.
These deep borewells, in use for ?ve years, replaced earlier dependence on tank water.
'We send water samples to Veterinary Biological Research Institute every time and ?ll trenches only after getting clearance,' said zoo director Sunil S Hiremath. Desilting is done monthly, and biannual advisory meetings are held to monitor pollution. 'Despite precautions, seepage or tank over?ow during monsoons can lead to contamination,' said zoo biologist Laxmi Narayana, warning that animal exposure risks persist, especially during rains.
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