Subject: Sequel Resorts, road dividing the lake and other encroachments, concretization inside full tank level of Lakaram lake, Khammam Mandal, Khammam district.
References:
1. Survey of India Topomap
2. NRSC Bhuvan 2D map with cadastral layer
3. Mission Kakatiya : Lakaram lake 9 crores vide GO ms 50 dated 25.3.2015
Our digital online survey of Lakaram lake, Khammam Mandal, Khammam District, Telangana reveals shocking contraction of the lake and its division into two by road laying and multiple encroachments from all sides including Sequel Resorts to the west of the lake. Both state and private agencies are engaged in converting the precious lake into land.
1. LAKARAM LAKE TRESPASSED BY SEQUEL RESORTS, ROADS AND CONSTRUCTIONS AGAINST TELANGANA LRS RULES:
It is observed that, whereas Telangana government has released GO 131 dated 31 August 2020 on Telangana Regularization of Unapproved and Illegal Layout Rules, 2020 that states as follows:
In brazen violation of these rules and all earlier acts and rules and against the Constitution of India the Full Tank level of Lakaram lake has been trespassed in more than one way, by way of roads, Sequel Resorts, other constructions.
Below is a comparison of Survey of India Topomap from indiamaps.gov.in with Google Earth satellite imagery of April 2020 that tells us the pathetic governance of Lakaram lake.
2. TELANGANA REVENUE RECORDS STATE ENTIRE SY NO. 234 OF 129 ACRES IS WATER BODY, GROUND SITUATION FROM THE BELOW MAPS SHOW UNAUTHORIZED AND ILLEGAL AS PER LRS RULES TELANGANA:
It is observed that, Whereas the Pahani clearly states that survey number 234 of Khanapuram village, Khammam Mandal, Khammam district states that entire survey number 234 of area admeasuring acres 129.04 recorded as ‘Irrigation – Shikam (Water Bodies) (Irrigation – Shikam (Water Bodies))’
the ground situation shows the embarrassing trespass over sanctity of the water body clearly depicting vanity Sequel Resorts, roads and constructions within full tank level, SY No. 234 demarcated as water body. Have a look:
3. 9 CRORES SPENT VIDE MISSION KAKATIYA IN 2015 FOR LAKARAM LAKE, RESULTED INTO DIVIDING THE LAKE WITH ENCROACHMENTS FORTIFIED
It is observed that, whereas, around 9 crores have been sanctioned vide GOMs 50 of 25.3.2015 under Mission Kakatiya, for improving Lakaram lake, rather it has been used to destroy the lake. The historical imagery from Google Earth depicts a contrasting tale of roads laid inside the full tank level of Lakaram lake that led to drastic reduction both in holding capacity and area of the lake. This is a classic example of how funds were squandered under Mission Kakatiya. Whereas Telangana government is misleading pubic and courts that they have increased the water body capacity of the state through Mission Kakatiya. As per Mission Kakatiya Lakaram lake details the holding capacity of Lakaram lake before and after the works is 0.016 (no unit mentioned).
Have a look at below comparative satellite historical imageries from Google Earth of 22.11.2015 i.e., the date before MK works and 27.12.2016 i.e., the date after MK works executed on the Lakaram lake:
4. ACTION AGAINST GOOD FAITH BY WALTA AUTHORITIES AS PER SEC 20 27 SURFACE WATER PROTECTIVE MEASURES OF WALTA ACT:
We now urge you to respond promptly as obliged under Surface Water Protective Measures (20-27 Sections) of WALTA Act 2002 as the District WALTA Chair, with timebound action plan on restoration of entire survey number 234 of Khanapuram village, Khammam Mandal that belongs to Lakaram lake.
We observe that there is contempt of the Supreme Court order. As per the Supreme Court orders from time to time on Art 21 of right life with dignity and of change of land use of water zone, that can never be done. In Hinch Lal Tiwari vs Kamala Devi And Ors on 25 July, 2001 (Bench: Syed Shah Quadri, S.N. Phukan) in Appeal (civil) 4787 of 2001, Supreme Court said as follows:
‘The Government, including the Revenue Authorities(i.e. Respondents 11 to 13,) having noticed that a pond is falling in disuse, should have bestowed their attention to develop the same which would, on one hand, have prevented ecological disaster and on the other provided better environment for the benefit of the 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 were to become the nation’s pride.’
WALTA Act 2002, Telangana Irrigation Act 1347F, GOMs 33 of 2013 have been blatantly violated.
Please acknowledge receipt and post us the Action Plan here within a week’s time from 8 September 2020.
Best,
Dr Lubna Sarwath
State General Secretary, Socialist Party(India)
Dr Jasveen Jairath
Founder-Secretary, Save Our Urban Lakes
Smt Sanghamitra Malik
Poetess and Activist
Shri Sai Prasad Sastry
Retd IRS, Founder President, VOICE-Voice of Indian Citizens Everywhere
