Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday, April 2, granted permission for the continuation of works related to the Frequency Radar Project being set up in the Damagundam forest area of Vikarabad district.
While hearing the case, the court expressed satisfaction with the steps being taken by both the central and state governments toward the development and protection of forest areas.
It directed the authorities to continue these developmental measures and adjourned the hearing for six months to review progress through a status report.
PIL challenges forest land allocation
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by the Damagundam Forest Protection Joint Action Committee, challenging the allocation of 2,900 acres of forest land for the radar centre.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin heard the matter. According to the counter affidavit submitted by the Chief Conservator of Forests, compensatory afforestation efforts have been undertaken to offset environmental impact.
Afforestration programme
Over the past two years, around 9.16 lakh saplings were planted, of which approximately 8.23 lakh have survived. The authorities also informed the court that 92,000 additional saplings would be planted during the upcoming monsoon season to replace those that did not survive.
Further, a detailed afforestation plan has been proposed, covering 552 hectares next year and an additional 29.5 hectares thereafter.
After considering the submissions, the bench directed that efforts to develop forests across 688 hectares should continue. The matter has been adjourned to October 5 for further review of progress in forest development.
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