Hyderabad, Feb. 20 -- Once a sprawling 104-acre water body, the historic Shah Hatim Lake which is located near Hyderabad's Golconda Fort is now on the brink of disappearance.

Over the years, unchecked encroachment, large-scale dumping of construction waste, and sewage discharge have shrunk the lake to just 20 acres.

Rapid decline of Hyderabad's Shah Hatim Lake near Golconda

The lake which was built during the Qutb Shahi era has suffered immense neglect. Its waters are now covered by thick layers of water hyacinth.

Due to the neglect, the water body has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes too.

Nearly 80 percent of the remaining water surface is clogged with invasive plants. These plants are further deteriorating the lake's conditi...