Final report after Forest Survey of India conducts tree cover evaluation
Hyderabad:The Central Empowered Committee set up by the Supreme Court, as part of the proceedings of the case, heard in the court on Wednesday on the issue of Kancha Gachibowli land, has said that it requires four more weeks to submit its final report, as several issues related to the land, and its nature were yet to be finalised.
The CEC, which visited Kancha Gachibowli on April 10, and met with several government officials, and representatives of political parties, and University of Hyderabad students among others, submitted an interim report to the court, said “a final recommendation can only be submitted before this court after the Forest Survey of India completes its exercise of density evaluation (of tree cover).”
The committee also said, “Several documents and information requested from different officers of the state are yet to be received by the CEC.”
Hence, for submitting the final report, and recommendations on whether the land constitutes a forest area, as well as for identifying officers who failed in their duties, the committee said “it is submitted that a period of four weeks may be granted to the CEC.”
According to the CEC, Telangana Chief Secretary in her compliance affidavit, mentioned that University is spread over a large extent with huge green cover, natural as well planted, and there are free ranging deer within the campus.
“As there is no fence between the subject land and the University land, there is a possibility of these deer straying into the subject land. Many other surrounding land parcels, which have not been put to any use, have also seen growth of vegetation,” the CEC said, citing the Chief Secretary’s affidavit, adding that as per the official, some animals like deer, peacock, and other birds are occasionally found to be straying into these patches of vegetation.
She further mentioned that in the entire extent of 2,374.02 acres, there are four notified lakes, and only one, Chilukala Kunta, lies towards the south-western side of the subject land. The government, she assured the court, will protect the lake as per the established norms.
On alleged violations of the Water Land and Trees Act, the CEC said, “While the officers involved may not be directly at fault, it is advisable for the state government to re-examine this matter thoroughly.”
Infograph
What CEC said
Land in question of ecological, academic and economic value, resembles a forest in terms of natural characteristics;
Court should consider protecting the entire vacant land of university including the subject land as an ecologically-sensitive zone;
Comprehensive ecological assessment should be conducted by Wild Life Institute of India;
Financial aspects of the mortgaging of the land warrants an independent probe by an appropriate authority;
Clearing using bulldozers termed “premature action” to “avoid legal scrutiny”
Land ownership needs a thorough review
GHMC should close all sewage outlets flowing into the university campus in 12 months after setting up STPs outside the campus;
Punitive action, including confiscation of machines used to fell/pull out trees, against the concerned TGIIC officials.
