Subject: Today 21 May 2020, National Green Tribunal hears, and admits case no. 72/2020, case title: Dr Lubna Sarwath vs Govt of Telangana, for the restoration of Narsingi Lake 2 HMDA @ 17.40058 78.35664, Lake ID 2939, Narsingi village, Gandipet Mandal, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. NGT orders the stopping of any further destruction, the prosecution of violators and for them to be brought before the law for necessary action.
References: Our field survey and digital survey of 12 July 2019, representations to Lake Protection Committee, Collector, MRO, HMDA, MAUD, WALTA authorities, EE Irrigation etc. dated 14 July 2019 and our representation to NGT dated 28 July 2019.
National Green Tribunal Southern Bench, Chennai, today heard the case 72/2020, case title: Dr Lubna Sarwath vs Government of Telangana, for the restoration of Narsingi Lake 2 HMDA @ 17.40058 78.35664, Lake ID 2939, Narsingi village, Gandipet Mandal, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. NGT also took cognizance of another case 39/2020 for the restoration of Mamasai Kunta, Puppulguda, Gandipet Mandal, RR district, Telangana, filed by the same petitioner.
NGT ordered the stopping of any further destruction of Narsingi Lake 2 and ordered the Collector, Ranga Reddy district, to prosecute violators and to bring them before the law for necessary action. Municipal authorities were ordered to report on action against those who are violators and the cost to encroachers.
A comprehensive report has been called for on, apart from this lake, other lakes of Ranga Reddy district, cases of which are filed before the NGT southern bench. The petitioner drew the attention of the bench to the fact that the Mamasani Kunta report that is due in April has not been filed till date. The Bench said it was in their knowledge. The petitioner also protested that 3 months is a long time as restoration of the lake needs to be done immediately.
Next hearing is on 8 September 2020, but meanwhile, any further dumping or destruction of the lake has been ordered to be stopped by the NGT. We hope the authorities, the Collector, RR and Municipal authorities will at least now abide by the order and attend to their duty diligently, having failed in their initial duty and responsibility of not just protecting the elixir of life but also the revival of lakes in disuse.
NGT Order copy, as soon as it is received, would be shared with press and people.
Best,
Dr Lubna Sarwath, Gopal Patangay – General Secretary, & VP, Socialist Party (India)
Chakri S – Founder-Director – SOUL Digital Cell
Balaswamy, Ishtiyaq, Pradeep, Jaipal Reddy – Convenor & Co-convenors, Save Our Urban Lakes
Sudarshan Sarade – Convenor – South Asian Action Plan Against Climate Crisis (SAPACC)
Maqbool Mateen – President, United Citizens Forum
