Secunderabad's Goutham Nagar RWA’s green steps reap success

SECUNDERABAD: In the middle of the city’s concrete jungle, Goutham Nagar comes as a breath of fresh air. With several drives modeled around Haritha Haram to increase green cover in the area, Goutham Nagar Residents Welfare Association is a true ambassador of the ‘go green’ initiative.
The centre of the colony is adorned by a park with lush green trees and rainwater harvesting pits. Chacha Nehru park, in the centre of the colony, was envisioned in 2007 and took five years to take shape.With multiple sanctions pending, the association took matters in its own hands and decided to fund a large part of the construction and maintenance of the colony park.
Y Durga Prasad, general secretary of the RWA, said, "We requested GHMC to give us plants such as plantains that would provide more green cover. But most requests fell on deaf ears. So, we decided to make use of the RWA donations and put in our own money and effort. Today, even the gardener’s salary is paid for by the RWA."
Members claim that rainwater harvesting pits, which line the length and breadth of the colony, are game-changers. "Something as simple as these pits can prevent waterlogging and improve groundwater levels. The pits helped us during monsoon. While residents in several parts of the city complained about water woes, Goutham Nagar didn’t face any such issue," Prasad said.
Efforts are consistently made by the association to get younger members in the colony involved in various activities. The park is used as a venue for children’s day and Dussehra celebrations, among others. Students are encouraged to take part in plantation drives.
"If they are taught the importance of conserving the environment in their impressionable years, they will grow into responsible adults," Prasad said.
The RWA also has a large three-storey function hall used to conduct awareness campaigns and health camps. The hall has also doubled up as a polling booth and is leased out to interested parties at a nominal charge. "Even senior citizens come here for reading sessions and indoor activities," an RWA member said.
The income generated from the hall and other sources will be used to plan and execute more welfare drives. However, the RWA’s primary focus is expanding the green cover in the colony.
"We will continue to work on the Haritha Haram-inspired initiative to make our colony a healthy space," Prasad said.