Greens seek HC intervention to protect Musi

■ MEMBERS OF SOUL pointed out to the HC that there were wilful omissions in maps of the land along the Musi banks, which are being encroached upon by vested interests.

The city’s green brigade has urged Telangana High Court to intervene and stop systemic destruction of the Musi River.

In a prayer to the court, they have pointed out that there has been dereliction of duty on part of officials and public representatives in this regard. There are wilful omissions in maps of the land along the Musi banks, which are being encroached upon by vested interests.

In a letter, authored by members of a civic group called Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL), the greens said: “We urge your august office to take urgent cognisance of our representation and direct Government of Telangana to immediately stop the ongoing landfill @ 17°22'57.38"N 78°29'55.08"E. Please proceed against officials and public representatives of the area for dereliction of duty and wilful omissions and commissions against their bounden duty of protecting the Musi River.”

The letter cited a Supreme Court order of 2001 that said: “The government, including revenue authorities (i.e. Respondents 11 to 13), having noticed that a pond is falling in disuse, should have bestowed their attention to developing the same. This would on one hand have prevented ecological disaster and, on the other, provided a better environment for the benefit of public at large. Such vigil is the best protection against knavish attempts to seek allotment in non-abadi sites. Further, it will also help in maintaining ecological balance and protecting the environment in regard to which this court has repeatedly expressed its concern. Such measures must begin at the grass-root level if they are to become the nation’s pride.”