PIL seeks eco-tourism project cancellation

Lumbini S.L.N. Springs Welfare Association, represented by A. Krishna Reddy, the president, moved the court saying that the government granted permission to the project by violating rules and regulations.

He said that the respondents’ action in seeking to convert forest land and to utilise it for non-forest purposes was contrary to established principles of law and a violation of fundamental rights granted to the members of the association under Article 21 of the Constitution.

He pointed out, “Conversion of forest land for commercial purposes to suit the interests of private parties was violative of the ‘public trust’ doctrine. The state, being a public trustee of forests and parks, has a duty to ensure that public parks and forest areas are not exploited.”

He said that the usage of the land by the Delaraa Tourism Corporation Ltd, TRAC India Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad Bird Park and Gardens Pvt Ltd, for commercial purposes such as construction of structures for shopping malls, cineplex, and film shootings, weddings and other entertainment was illegal as no permission was given to them for the same.

He added that usage of forest land endangers wild animals and damages the ecology and natural surroundings of the area.

He said that the actions of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in granting its approval for the eco-tourism project at the Kothguda reserve forest was illegal and unconstitutional.

He told the court that former Union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh had asked the state government to immediately suspend construction and other activities in the reserve forest area. The petitioner urged the court to put a stay the project.