To Shri Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble CM of Telangana & Shri Ranganath, IPS, Commissioner of HYDRA
30th August, 2024
Subject: Bulldozer Raj on the Pretext of Lake Protection in Telangana, Emulating Shri Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh – Appeal for Transparent, Sustainable Policies & Actions Aligned with Constitutional Provisions.
Dear Sirs,
Lakes are a vital lifeline for Telangana, and their protection is crucial for the well-being of our environment and future generations. Hyderabad, in particular, is known as the city of lakes. Unfortunately, over the past seven decades, many of these lakes have shrunk by 61% under the regime of Andhra rulers in United Andhra Pradesh, due to deliberate encroachments by crony capitalists, selfish politicians, real estate brokers, and the mafia. This issue extends beyond Hyderabad, as thousands of water bodies across the region have been encroached upon, posing a serious threat to flora, fauna, and the overall ecological balance.
Under the leadership of Shri KCR, the previous BRS government initiated the revival of water tanks through the flagship Mission Kakatiya program, spearheaded by then Irrigation Minister Shri T. Harish Rao. Furthermore, the previous government did make efforts to revive and protect the lakes within HMDA limits.
However, we continued to have water flooding in major cities of Telangana such as Warangal, Mahabubnagar, Khammam, Karimnagar etc. Therefore, I believe there is still a need to continue this program with a strong focus on protecting water tanks and their respective catchment areas across Telangana, not just within the geographical limits of Greater Hyderabad, from further encroachments and land grabbing.
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While the establishment of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) is a positive step if there is genuine intent to safeguard our lakes. However, concerns are growing that HYDRA is being used more for HIGH DRAMA, Political Theatrics and Pseudo-Heroism rather than genuine conservation efforts, promoting unconstitutional BULLDOZER RAJ.
Achieving this goal requires transparent, strategic, and sustainable measures to restore and protect these long-living ecosystems, rather than resorting to dramatic displays of aggression. Therefore, as a concerned citizen and someone who has consistently advocated for the protection of these lakes through the establishment of an exclusive statutory authority, I demand clarity on the following matters:
Issuing a notice of action after proper determination of the legal rights of identified parties is mandatory under our constitution. Failing to act according to this principle and establishing “bulldozer raj” emulating Uttar Pradesh CM Shri Yogi Adityanath, could harm the rights of genuine property holders. In the haste to appear proactive and pseudo heroic, please do not bulldoze constitutional principles and destroy the tenets of natural justice.
Recent incidents in Mahabubnagar and Ramnagar, where demolitions were carried out overnight targeting the homes of poor and middle-class families without prior notice, exemplify a disturbing trend of using bulldozer tactics to instil fear and achieve political gains. These actions, executed without due process or respect for the basic rights of residents, seem intended to terrorize communities rather than genuinely address issues of encroachment or urban planning. Such heavy-handed measures not only violate constitutional principles but also reflect a deeper agenda of political theatrics aimed at showcasing dictatorial authority, rather than promoting transparency, justice, or sustainable development.
- Policy Clarity:
What is the government’s specific policy on lake protection?
It is essential to have a clear and comprehensive policy framework that not only outlines objectives but also sets measurable targets for the preservation of our lakes and their surrounding environments.
3. Operational Guidelines for HYDRA:
What are the operational guidelines for HYDRA?
Despite HYDRA’s extensive mandate to curb encroachments and protect lake areas, there is a lack of publicly available information detailing its operational protocols. Clearly defined guidelines are crucial for transparency and ensuring the agency’s effectiveness.
4. Public Accessibility of Guidelines:
Why are these guidelines not available in the public domain if they exist?
Transparency is a key component of accountability, and making these guidelines accessible to the public is essential for building trust and garnering support from the community and various stakeholders.
5. Encroachment Data:
How many water bodies have been identified as encroached upon?
It is critical to conduct a comprehensive study of lakes and compile a detailed, publicly accessible list of affected lakes to facilitate community involvement and scrutiny.
6. Extent of Encroachment:
What is the extent of encroachment for each lake?
Accurate and detailed data on the extent of encroachment for each lake is essential for planning effective remedial actions and prioritizing interventions.
7. Incoherent and Inconsistent Action Against Illegal Constructions:
How many illegal constructions have been identified, and how many notices have been issued?
Transparency and impartiality in these actions would demonstrate the government’s commitment to genuinely addressing the issue rather than selectively targeting certain encroachments for media popularity.
8. Community Involvement:
Why is there no engagement with Resident Welfare Associations and other stakeholders in lake protection efforts through HYDRA?
Local communities play a vital role in conserving natural resources, and their participation is crucial for the success of any conservation initiative.
9. Selective Demolition for Media Sensationalism and Political Theatrics:
Why is there selective demolition that leads to media sensationalism, pseudo-heroism, and political theatrics?
Such selective demolition actions raise concerns about the true intent behind these initiatives. Effective lake protection should be free from political biases and focused on environmental sustainability and society’s overall well-being.
Following these demolitions, especially in light of High Court interventions, what is the ultimate outcome? Who currently holds possession of the allegedly encroached lands? What is HYDRA’s ultimate plan for these lands post-demolition? If the HYDRA is allegedly misused to infuse fear or facilitate subsequent settlements, it is disastrous.
I urge both Shri Revanth Reddy and Shri Ranganath to ensure that HYDRA’s efforts are genuinely aimed at sustainable lake protection, recognising that protecting our lakes is a shared responsibility not a sole proprietary of the Government, that it can take selective, random decisions for political theatrics or short-term media attention without adhering to the constitutional provisions.
To this end, I demand the government formulate a detailed and transparent lake protection policy, incorporating input from environmental experts, activists, and local communities. I urge both of you to refrain from haphazard actions that serve short-term political ends and instead commit to meaningful and sustainable efforts to safeguard our precious water bodies and lakes across Telangana.
Finally, I wish to end this letter by suggesting to both the Honourable Chief Minister Shri Revanth Reddy ans Shri Ranganath that “a true leader considers the impact of their decisions on future generations, not just the applause of today”
Thanking you & Regards,
Dr Dasoju Sravan Kumar
BRS
