Telangana High Court seeks ground report on forest plantation at Damagundam

The Telangana High Court has directed an amicus curiae to physically inspect forest plantation work carried out at Damagundam using Central funds, amid concerns over environmental compliance linked to the proposed naval command project in the reserve forest area

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed amicus curiae Vivek Jain to personally inspect the forest plantation undertaken by the State Forest Department at Damagundam using funds provided by the Central government and submit a detailed report to the court.

The direction was issued during the hearing of a public interest litigation concerning environmental issues arising out of the proposed establishment of a naval command project in the Damagundam reserve forest area.

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Appearing for the Union government, Additional Solicitor General B Narasimha Sharma submitted that all statutory procedures and environmental norms had been strictly followed in relation to the proposed naval command project. He further informed the Bench that compensatory funds had been released to the State government for carrying out plantation activities in alternative lands as part of environmental compliance measures.

Taking note of the submissions, the Bench observed that verification of the plantation undertaken pursuant to the allocation of funds was necessary. The court accordingly directed the amicus curiae to conduct a physical inspection of the plantation sites and place the factual position before the court.

The matter forms part of ongoing proceedings in which the petitioners have raised concerns over ecological impact and sought various directions relating to environmental safeguards in the Damagundam forest region. The case was posted for further hearing after submission of the inspection report.