Hyderabad, September 22, 2024:– Environmental and social activists are set to stage a protest today at Dharna Chowk, Hyderabad, opposing the Telangana government’s decision to allow the Indian Navy to construct a low-frequency radar station in Damagundam forest. The protest, organized under the banner of “Save Damagundam JAC,” is scheduled for 11 AM near Indira Park.
The government has allocated 2,900 acres of Damagundam forest in Pudur mandal, Vikarabad district, for the radar project. As part of this development, approximately 12 lakh trees are set to be felled, raising significant concerns over environmental degradation and the destruction of local ecosystems, which are crucial for Hyderabad’s environmental balance.
Prominent figures including environmental activist Dusharla Satyanarayana, former MLC Prof. K. Nageshwar, Tollywood producer Tammareddy Bharadwaj, journalist Thulasi Chandu, and anchor Jhansi will address the protest, alongside students from Osmania University.
Concerns Over Ecological Impact
The Indian Navy’s project not only involves the radar station but also plans to build a township for personnel, schools, hospitals, banks, markets, and other infrastructure, all by 2027. Despite a notice issued by the Navy promising to plant an equal number of trees across the country, activists remain skeptical, citing the irreplaceable nature of the forest’s ecology.
According to the “Save Damagundam JAC,” the forest is home to medicinal trees and serves as a catchment area for rivers like Musi, Esa, and Kagna. Cutting down trees in such ecologically sensitive zones, activists argue, threatens these water sources and could even lead to the drying up of the Musi River. They emphasize that the forest must be preserved for its vital role in sustaining the region’s water systems and biodiversity.
Historical and Cultural Significance
In addition to its ecological importance, the Damagundam forest houses a 500-year-old Ramalingeshwara temple and a ‘Gundam’ with a continuous water supply throughout the year. Activists highlight the cultural and spiritual significance of the site, arguing that the development project risks not only environmental but also heritage damage.
Local Livelihoods Under Threat
The construction of a radar station is expected to involve building boundary walls, limiting access to the forest for local communities. Around 60,000 residents from 20 villages surrounding Damagundam forest rely on the area for grazing livestock and other essential activities. Activists warn that restricting access will severely impact their livelihoods.
Plea to the Government
The protest today aims to urge the authorities, particularly the Congress-led Telangana government, to reconsider the project and recognize the severe environmental consequences it poses. Activists argue that building roads and laying groundwork for the project is already causing harm, and they are calling for the immediate suspension of further development.
The protestors hope to draw public attention to the potential loss of one of the country’s rare natural forests and the irreversible damage that could result from the radar station project. They are determined to see the project halted to safeguard the future of Damagundam forest.
