Citizens’ campaigns in the city to save urban lung spaces have scored partial but significant victories recently by getting favourable directives from the High Court and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) with regard to two different projects.
The latest order was issued on Thursday by the High Court, asking the State government not to go ahead with its plan of acquiring certain extent of land inside the Indira Park, to facilitate the skyway proposed between VST and Indira Park.
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The ‘Save KBR Park’ movement, too, has registered victory with the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Expert Committee under the MOEF directing the State government to submit a detailed report of the public hearing for the proposed ESZ around the park, for which a draft notification was published in October last year.
The stipulated ESZ as per guidelines is 10 km around national parks or protected areas, while the government has proposed varying extents ranging from mere three metres to 29.8 metres, in the draft notification.
Activists, alleging that it was done only to facilitate flyovers proposed near the park as part of the SRDP project, are demanding that it be at least one kilometre evenly demarcated along its periphery.
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“During the window period for recording our claims and objections, we have bombarded the committee with over 700 letters opposing the notification. The decision for public hearing is the result of our concerted efforts to save the park,” says Kaajal Maheshwari, an activist representing ‘Citizens for Hyderabad’, a citizens’ initiative launched as part of ‘Save KBR Park’ movement.
How far the movement would succeed in stalling the flyovers is unknown, as a few experts in the committee had suggested allowing the flyovers by categorising them under the regulated activities.
As per ESZ guidelines, widening of the roads and vehicular movement do not fall under prohibited activities, but can be taken up with permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden after due environmental impact study.
Challenging the govt.
The movement has nevertheless deterred the government from going blindly ahead with its road projects. Evidence is in its application last year to MOEF seeking clearance of East-West Corridor development along River Musi within the ESZ of KBR Park, Mrugavani deer park and Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park.
‘Save Indira Park Tennis Courts’ group was formed after GHMC marked about 90 trees over 20 years of age and part of the three tennis courts inside Indira Park for construction of a steel bridge on the stretch.
“Synthetic tennis courts managed by GHMC are available only at two locations in the city — the other being Chandanagar —which one can use with monthly payment of ₹750. Other courts cost up to ₹6,000 per month, which is unaffordable for many people,” says A.T. Raghavender, who spearheaded the movement, before moving court.
The writ petition had signatures of 102 members, including the parents of children who use the courts for practice.