Telangana High Court Mandates Restoration of Jubilee Hills Rock Garden
The Telangana High Court has issued a significant directive to the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), ordering the complete restoration of the rock garden in Jubilee Hills within a strict eight-week timeframe. Additionally, the court has required HYDRAA to submit a detailed compliance report to the court registry within three months to ensure adherence to the restoration mandate.
Legal Petition Highlights Government Land Encroachments
Justice NV Shravan Kumar delivered these orders while presiding over a writ petition filed by advocate B Sudhakar Reddy. The petition raised serious allegations against authorities for their failure to act on multiple representations concerning the protection of over 30.2 hectares of government land within the rock garden area. The petitioner specifically sought court directions for HYDRAA and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to demolish all illegal constructions on this notified land, citing a lack of action to prevent encroachments or halt unauthorized building activities.
Environmental Concerns and Tree Felling Issues
During the court proceedings, the petitioner's counsel presented evidence that private individuals had encroached upon the site and illegally felled numerous trees. Drawing on Supreme Court observations that emphasize the critical importance of environmental protection, the counsel also requested the court to instruct HYDRAA to impose a penalty of Rs 1 lakh for every tree cut down by anti-social elements in the area. This request underscores the broader environmental stakes involved in the case.
Court's Observations and Directives
After thoroughly hearing arguments from both sides, the court made a clear observation that HYDRAA holds the primary responsibility for safeguarding government land and preserving the natural integrity of the rock garden. The court directed the authorities to implement appropriate measures, which include:
- Removing all encroachments from the site.
- Fully restoring the rock garden to its original state within the stipulated eight-week period.
- Ensuring strict compliance with environmental protection standards.
This ruling highlights the judiciary's proactive role in addressing environmental degradation and land misuse, setting a precedent for accountability in similar cases across the state.
