The members of Hyderabad Rising, who have been opposing the felling of trees for a State government road project, have approached the National Human rights Commission on Wednesday on this issue. Through a representation, the members demanded that the Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP) be scrapped along with other projects which pose a threat to the city’s biodiversity.
Specifically mentioning KBR National Park in Banjara Hills, it was mentioned that the eco-sensitive zone or the buffer area surrounding the park might be cleared for the project and hence, this should be averted.
“Any damage to the ESZ around a national park will cause irreparable damage to its ecology. The trees, shrubs, rocks and innumerable flora and fauna form the micro-climate of the buffer zone, which in turn acts as a shield, protecting the national park against air pollution, noise pollution and other factors, which have a detrimental impact on the life of the national park,” read one of the contents of the representation.
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According to the members, the park maintains oxygen levels and acts as water sink feeding several lakes.Conveying that they are for an “organic, sensible and sustainable” development model, they demanded that the government evaluate alternative options instead of the present SRDP.
The members also want the government to constitute Tree, Ecology and Environment Protection Committees, with passionate citizens as members, at circle level.
Meanwhile, the members of Hyderabad Rising also started an online petition onwww.change.orgto protect the trees surrounding the KBR Park.
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By Wednesday evening, more than 1,000 members signed up pledging their support to the cause.