The main objective ECUP is to study the present status of the environment and to develop strategies to preserve, protect and upgrade the environment in HMR taking into account the future economic and population growth of the region with target dates of 2021, 2031 and 2041.

The ECUP Plan will cover the entire area of extended HMDA. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has invited bids for consultancy services to prepare ECUP for HMR region. The bids will be opened on September 10.

According to HMDA officials, with the ever-increasing population and economic development in the urban and semi-urban areas, the preservation and protection of environment in these areas have become a big challenge. The ECUP will study the present levels of air pollution and air quality and suggest measures to mitigate air pollution and improve the air quality standards as prescribed in the EPA. It will also suggest measures for the sustainable management of surface water resources, including maintenance of natural stream form and flow characters in the region’s water course, with special focus on catchment improvement of Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.

The ECUP will also study the qualitative and quantitative groundwater status and suggest measures to improve the availability of groundwater and its quality. It will study the scope and feasibility for water recycling as well as the present status of vegetation in the region and suggest measures for afforestation to bring the vegetative cover to the optimum level with a focus on regional plants and historical diversity of local flora and fauna. It will suggest measures for solid and liquid waste management of both hazardous and non-hazardous kinds.

The officials said that the ECUP would be prepared with special focus on lakes and water bodies like Hussainsagar, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.