Telangana red-flags Kothaguda green tourism project

 

In the affidavit submitted, Raymond Peter, the principal secretary of environment and forest, science and technology, stated that the eco-tourism project was fraudulent and that there were severe irregularities and illegalities in the allotment of the project to three groups, the Delara Tourism Corporation, Track India Private Limited and Hyderabad Bird Park and Gardens. 

 

A PIL had been filed with the High Court in August by the Lumbini SLN Springs Welfare Association to scrap the eco-tourism project and declare it as a national park.

The project by the three groups mentioned above included setting up of a night safari park, a bird park and a botanical garden with various visitor facilities, recreational components, restaurants etc.

 

“The Kothaguda forest block, amidst the concrete jungle has the potential to be developed into an ecotype. Any destruction to its features would destroy its ecology apart from damaging environment and preventing manifestation of an ecotype. Bringing in exotic species of flora and fauna in the project area is undesirable.

 

It is also submitted that the value of the forest land in Kothaguda Reserve Forest area would be around Rs 6,850 crore for 274 acres. It would disturb the conscience of every citizen to think that the government has given away 274 acre of forest land in a metropolitan city,” the affidavit stated. 

 

A.V. Reddy, secretary of the Botanical Gardens Walkers’ Association and also from the Lumbini SLN Springs Welfare Association, said, “We have been fighting for seven years, and this step by the government is encouraging.”