Telangana High Court Mandates Detailed Afforestation Report for Navy Radar Project
The Telangana High Court has issued a significant directive to the state forest department, compelling it to produce a comprehensive report on afforestation activities linked to the Indian Navy's extreme low frequency (ELF) radar installation at Damagundam in Vikarabad district. This judicial order was delivered on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in environmental compensation efforts.
Court's Specific Requirements for the Afforestation Report
A bench led by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin outlined precise requirements for the report. It must include exhaustive details such as the specific areas designated for tree planting, the exact number of saplings that have been planted, their current survival rate, and all other pertinent information related to the afforestation initiative. The court has allocated a four-week timeframe for the authorities to compile and submit this detailed documentation.
Background of the Public Interest Litigation
The directions emerged during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Damagundam forest protection joint action committee. This petition contests the land allocation for the naval project and advocates for compensatory afforestation to mitigate the project's adverse effects on local biodiversity. The bench has also appointed amicus curiae Vivek Jain to conduct an on-site inspection of the afforestation sites and provide an independent evaluation to the court.
Government and Petitioner Submissions
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General B Narsimha Sharma informed the court that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had filed an affidavit confirming that the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has adhered to mandatory stage-II clearances. The ENC further submitted its own affidavit, asserting that it has disbursed funds to the state for afforestation purposes and has surpassed the required compliance standards.
The state government presented data claiming that approximately nine lakh saplings have been planted across 600 acres in Vikarabad and Rangareddy districts. However, the petitioners challenged this assertion, arguing that while the progress appears satisfactory in official records, the actual ground reality may not reflect these claims. They alleged discrepancies between reported achievements and tangible outcomes.
Next Steps and Judicial Oversight
After meticulously recording submissions from all involved parties, the bench issued its directives and scheduled the next hearing for April 2. This case highlights the ongoing judicial scrutiny of large-scale infrastructure projects and their environmental ramifications, ensuring that ecological safeguards are not merely procedural but effectively implemented.
The court's intervention underscores a commitment to balancing developmental objectives with environmental conservation, particularly in sensitive forest regions. The independent assessment by the amicus curiae is expected to provide an unbiased perspective on the afforestation efforts, aiding the court in making an informed decision during the subsequent hearing.
