The National Green Tribunal has ordered status quo around KBR Park ruling out any possibility of clearing trees for the Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP) till July 25. Hearing the case on Friday, the NGT also ordered the Telangana Government to file plans and papers pertaining to the SRDP.
The NGT had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue based on newspaper reports that the State Government was planning to cut hundreds of trees around the KBR Park to make way for a road project which is being opposed by civil society members. The NGT also allowed the implead petition filed by Hyderabad Rising, a banner floated by a group of citizens and activists who are demanding that the project be scrapped for environmental reasons.
M.C. Mehta, advocate, who appeared on behalf of Ms. Suruchi Singh, the counsel for Hyderabad Rising submitted that G.O. No.19 issued by the Government of Telangana granted “Permission of felling trees” for establishment of new industry under “Ease of doing business” is a matter of great importance. He questioned the need for bringing out the G.O. when WALTA was already in existence.
