12 lakh trees under risk, leading to floods in Hyderabad, NAPM points out to CM Revanth
Hyderabad: National Alliance of People’s Movements(NAPM) appealed to Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy to revoke the decision to hand over Damagundam Forest to Indian Navy for the Radar Project. Around 105 stakeholders including environmental activist, social activist, concerned citizens and others appeal to withdraw the decision.
Mooted by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Visakhapatnam, the VLF radar station is intended to communicate with ships and submarines, using low frequency radio waves. As per estimates, a whopping 12 lakh diverse trees would have to be cut-down to make way for the project in the reserve forest land of Damagundam. The proposed project area of 2,900 acres of forest land includes 1400 acres for the Antenna Park, 1090 acres for technical areas, 310 acres for official, residential complexes and 100 acres of ‘safe zone’ for radiation hazard.
Over more than a decade, local people organized as the ‘Damagundam Forest Protection Joint Action Committee’ and environmental activists have flagged severe concerns regarding the impacts this Project would have, if permitted and executed.
“Musi River which originates in Vikarabad, Kagna, another river of the region would also be impacted. Forest-cutting would in turn adversely affect the entire river basin through soil erosion.This area also serves as a catchment zone and destroying the forest could result in more frequent flooding in the city of Hyderabad,” said NAPM in an official statement.
Potential risks in the project
Experts have been cautioning about the potential health risks this project is likely to have on people of the region, through radiation. Scientists have also warned about health impacts, in particular respiratory disorders, including on people residing in Hyderabad. The region is also known widely for the 500 years old Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy temple, an important religious and historical site.
“We are deeply agitated about the decision of the state government, under your leadership, to hand over the pristine forest lands in the Ananthagiri Hills to the Indian Navy, for purposes of establishing a ‘Very Low Frequency (VLF) radar station’, at an increased project cost of about Rs. 2,500 crores. We have learnt from media reports that along with Mr. Rajnath Singh, the Union Home Minister, is likely to participate in the inauguration of the said Radar Project on the coming 28th July, preparations for which are underway by local elected representatives and officials,” added the NAPN statement.
The NAPM further appealed Chief Minister to review and withdraw the decision of allowing the Navy Radar Project in the Damagudam Forests of Ananthagiri Hills.
Some of the activists who undersigned the letter include Babu Rao Kalapala Scientists for People Hyderabad, Shaik Salauddin, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), Hyderabad, Kiran Kumar Vissa Rythu Swarajya Vedika Hyderabad among others.
