Hyderabad calls residents to protest Damagundam Forest clearance
Hyderabad: A call to action has been issued to Hyderabad residents to join a protest against the proposed clearance of the Damagundam Forest in Telangana for the Indian Navy’s radar project. The event, scheduled for 4 p.m. on July 27 at Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, aims to bring support and initiate a broader perspective on the issue.
Environmental activists and concerned citizens from 12 cities across India are taking part to voice their opposition to the project, which they claim will result in the destruction of 12 lakh trees. The protesters argue that the loss of such a vast green cover in the Ananthagiri Hills region will have catastrophic environmental consequences.
Under the slogan of “Save Damagundam, Save Ananthagiri,” participants will debate on the potential impact of the project and strategize on ways to prevent the devastation of the forest. They are urging both the Central and Telangana governments to reconsider the decision and explore alternative sites for the Navy radar.
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It was learned that 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.
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.
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