I live about 135Km away from Hyderabad, capital of
Telangana. I visit this city of mine
very frequently either for shopping or social functions. As a child when I lived in this city I heard
about some places of tourist interest and visited few of the prominent
once. In the recent times I hear about
new places that have come up and are developing as tourist spots. So I made it a point to visit these new
places once.
As I was itching to use my DSLR I wanted to visit gardens or
lake which can present nature in all its splendour. I read about the beauty of Durgam cheruvu,
forest in the middle of concrete jungle – KBR Park, wonderfully developed
botanical gardens in the outskirts of Hyderabad.
I was very enthusiastic about this visit and bought one
extra memory card thinking that I will be able experiment with various modes of
camera and take loads of photos. But I
returned home very much disappointed for memory card in my camera was not
filled even by 10%.
Durgam Cheruvu
This supposedly beautiful fresh water lake is considered as
secret as it is surrounded by mammoth granite rocks of few thousands million
years old. The residents of Golconda
used this as source of drinking water during the rule of Qutub Shahi dynasty (1518-1687). In 2001, the then Andhra Pradesh Government
initiated to promote it as tourist destination by developing attractions such
as fishing zone, artificial waterfalls, floating fountains, sculptor parks and
art gallery for artists and encouraging rock climbing and trekking for
tourists. Amphitheatre with a capacity
of 1500 people also constructed. Few
pictures I have seen on the net also showed some beautiful water birds too.
Rock canteen
Keeping the scenery in view I decided to visit it after 3PM
so that I can see the sunset if possible, and the waters and birds in the
sunset light. I asked the driver (we
engaged cab and driver in the city) to take us to Durgam Cheruvu. His expression was bit puzzled.
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| Bench to sit and relax |
“Madam it is for couples” he said.
I was with my husband.
I understood what he meant by saying it is for couples. He meant it is for lovers, probably who want
to be secretive. I didn’t say, “Are we
not a couple”? and embarrass him. We have to be with him for two more
days.
”I heard about the lake.
So I want to visit it. Today
after lunch we will visit that place”. I
told him.
That day, after 3Pm we started to Durgam Cheruvu. Reached it by 4Pm.There were few people. A group of boys and two (?) ‘couples‘ were
there. The staff in the cabin asked us
to take entry tickets and said that we should come out by 6Pm. The most disappointing instruction is not take
any camera inside. They said no
photography allowed inside. “Can we take a mobile phone and take pics?” I
asked. They said okay. My plans shattered I walked in with
disappointment written all over my face. My husband encouraged me that we can take
photos with our mobile. He always uses
his mobile and shares his photos immediately.
Many times I don’t carry my mobile in my outings , or else I keep it
safely inside my bag. I like to use
digital camera which I own since 2007. I
never took interest in mobile photography.
I felt the rule as weird. Mobile
photography is allowed but no other gear to be used for photography. In fact we have to deposit our gear with them
and collect before leaving it.
 |
| Rock Sculptures |
This is a lake beautified with various tourist attractions. People who visit beautiful places want to
keep memories of it forever by taking family photos. It’s an open place and Google maps show
details of our interior streets too. What
secrecy do these people want to maintain I don’t understand. As ‘couples’ frequent here, do they want to
protect them or any other illegal activity?
Photographers are bound by rules about photographing people. If they do any illegal activity action can be
taken against them. When the place
doesn’t hold any national or security secret is there any sanity in allowing
mobile photography but not others.
Anyway this incident made me take interest in this modality. I decided to know various functions of camera
in my mobile.
 |
| Lotus Pond |
Though summer hasn’t started the lake was dry. I saw only water hyacinth with patches of
water here and there surrounded partially by the encroaching concrete
jungle. The less said about the
maintenance the better.
 |
| Stage and amphitheatre area |
KBR Park - Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park
This is a jungle amidst concrete jungle of high profile
residential area in Hyderabad. Azam Jah
had built Chiran Palace in 1960 in 400 acres area and presented it to his son
Mukaram Jah on his coronation in 1960. Then
in Andhra Pradesh, the state government got permission from central government
to declare it as National park in 1968.
Finally an agreement is reached between the Nizam and state
government to exclude an area of 6 acres and 16 other pieces of scattered areas
over Park exclusively for Mukaram Jah; forest department and general public
will not have access to these areas.
Rest of the area including Chiran Palace is notified as part of National
park and land to be handed out to the prince was struck out of the part.
This park has 600 species of plant life, 140 species of
birds and 30 different varieties of butterflies and reptiles. There are also few water bodies that supply
the needs of beings in the park.
Here also photography is prohibited but mobile photography
is permitted! We can keep our gear with
us. If we use it CC cameras will record
it and we have to pay a fine of Rs. 25,0000.
The maintenance of the place is good. Ticket is must for entry. The hours are for the benefit of walkers of
that elite area, few hours in the morning and evening. Plantations were good. I could only see peacock and two or three
bird species. Couldn’t spot any
butterflies.
Hyderabad Botanical Gardens
This known as Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Botanical Gardens
occupying an area of 120 acres is developed by forest department in Madhapur
village in the outskirts of Hyderabad to preserve natural flora and fauna in
this region. This is divided into 19
vanams or sectors each with different types of plant species including
medicinal, ornamental, bamboo, palm and aquatic plants. Has more than 600
species of plants. It has natural rock
formations and water bodies.
As the state had no rains in the past two years the water
bodies dried up. Because of lack of
water the small plants were withering away.
The maintenance is poor. Few bird species were seen. Bamboo palms were attractive.
Entry ticket essential.
Also ticket price is variable depending on the type of camera. Mobile camera doesn’t need a ticket.
The drought that affected Telangana had its effect on these
gardens and lake. I felt I visited it in
the wrong period. Once rainy season
starts I hope Durgam cheruvu fills up and the gardens will turn green hosting
birds and butterflies.
