Satellite Imagery shows encroachment of Himayat sagar: Activist Lubna

Hyderabad: Amid allegations surfaced against Congress MLC Patnam Mahendar Reddy concerning the encroachment of Himayat Sagar reservoir land, activist and politician Dr. Lubna Sarwath reveals startling details. Backing her claims, she came up with satellite imagery that reportedly shows illegal landfilling and construction activities within the prohibited zones of the reservoir. The said land is in Sy No. 14 of Kothwalguda village, Shamshabad mandal, RR district, Telangana which reportedly belongs to Reddy’s family. Sarwath called for demolition of these structures as they raise concerns over environmental degradation and the violation of land-use regulations.

In a statement Dr Lubna Sarwath said, “It is observed from the NRSC satellite images that there is landfilling in the reservoir and destruction through concretisation in sy no. 14 of Kothwalguda village, Shamshabad mandal, RR district, Telangana. Compound walls, road laying, buildings are observed in the prohibited zone viz., the Full Tank Level (FTL) of Himayath sagar drinking water reservoir as well as Prohibited zone”.

Sarwath further added that it is also observed from Dharani portal that Sy No. 14A and 14AA of Kothwalguda village are assigned lands. “It needs to be investigated and reclaimed how the Assigned lands have been transacted or gifted. While one acre is in the name of G Kanthamm and 13 acres in the name of P Rineesh Reddy son of Congress MLC P Mahendar Reddy” alleged Sarwath.

After the allegation surfaced, P Mahendar Reddy said, “ Protecting our lakes is a collective responsibility. I have heard rumours suggesting that I constructed a farmhouse near the lake without the required permissions”.

Reddy further added that, “I have obtained all necessary permissions and ensured the construction adhered to the regulations, keeping the structure modest in 2005. The structure was not built in the buffer zone or the FTL zone. If any evidence shows that the construction is illegal, I will personally take responsibility and arrange for its demolition”.

“Although many representations were made to authorities to remove encroachments from the FTL and buffer zone areas of the twin reservoirs, instead the previous government removed water but not encroachments”, said Lubna Sarwath.

Subsequently, Team Climate congress, urged the Telangana Chief Minister and HYDRAA that the illegal constructions in the FTL area and prohibited buffer zone be removed on war footing with no pollution whatsoever in the reservoir. Further, the Master plan should be rectified and the Assigned Lands in the prohibited zone should be reclaimed by the government, demanded Lubna Sarwath.