Telangana HC allows Navy VLF station in Vikarabad, monitors afforestation

The Telangana High Court allowed the Indian Navy’s VLF radar project in Vikarabad forest while keeping a PIL pending for six months to monitor compensatory afforestation progress and ensure compliance with environmental conditions.

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has on Thursday allowed the Indian Navy to proceed with its proposed Very Low Frequency (VLF) radar station project in the Damagundum reserve forest area of Vikarabad district, while keeping the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pending for a period of six months to monitor the progress of compensatory afforestation.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G. M. Mohiuddin heard the PIL filed by Damagundum Forest Protection JAC – Save Damagundam, challenging the allotment of about 2,900 acres of reserve forest land to the Indian Navy. The Bench said there shall be no restraint on the execution of the project. The Court took on record the report submitted by the amicus curiae, Vivek Jain, who inspected afforestation sites at Thippapur in Vikarabad district and Amangal in Rangareddy district.

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The report indicated that the survival rate of plantations ranged between 70 to 80 per cent, with plant heights generally between one to one-and-a-half metres, extending up to three metres in certain areas. The Bench observed that the afforestation works were satisfactory. Referring to the approvals granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Court noted that Stage-I approval for diversion of 1,174 hectares (about 2,900 acres) of forest land was accorded on January 15, 2014, and Stage-II approval was granted on December 19, 2017, subject to conditions.

As per the project report, compensatory afforestation is being undertaken over 1,079 hectares in Vikarabad district and 1,269 hectares in Rangareddy district. Ch Ravi Kumar, counsel for the Chief Conservator of Forests, Charminar Circle, placed on record an additional counter-affidavit detailing the afforestation measures.

It was stated that out of 9,16,196 saplings planted during 2024–25 and 2025–26, about 8,23,531 have survived, reflecting a survival rate of 89.88 per cent. The affidavit further indicated that 92,665 saplings identified as dead would be replaced during the 2026–27 monsoon season. The affidavit also outlined future plantation plans, including afforestation over 552 hectares during 2026–27 and 29.50 hectares during 2027–28, along with assisted natural regeneration over 1,778 hectares of degraded forest land.

Recording the “sincere afforestation efforts” undertaken so far over 688.5 hectares, the Court noted that a balance extent of 581.5 hectares remains to be covered in the upcoming planting seasons. It was further noted that the maintenance period for the afforestation work is ten years, during which 100 per cent survival is expected to be ensured.

On the other hand, counsel for the implead petitioner submitted that the Forest Department is required to achieve a total compensatory afforestation target of 2,348 hectares in terms of the Stage-II approval. Taking note of the ongoing afforestation activity and the fact that plantation works are seasonal, the Bench adjourned the matter for a period of six months to review further progress.