Implementing misleading govt order to pollute Hyderabad's 100 year old reservoirs

Senior activists* represent to the Telangana Governor on GO Ms 69 dated 12.4.2022 issued by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), Government of Telangana: ‘...restrictions imposed under para 3 of said GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996 are removed...’:

***

Ref: GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996: ‘To prohibit polluting industries, major hotels, residential colonies or other establishments that generate pollution in the catchment of the lakes upto 10kms from full tank level as per list in Annexure-I...’
We come to your office with grievance that GO Ms 69 dated 12.4.2022 issued by Government of Telangana not only contains false information issued ‘By Order and in the name of the Governor of Telangana’ , without any scientific or expert reports, but also that implementation of the said GO is detrimental and can be catastrophic to the Hyderabad city as two 100 year old reservoirs Osman Sagar and Himayath Sagar were constructed as dams on river Moosa and river Esa, with the first and foremost purpose of preventing 1908 type of floods in Hyderabad city.
Submissions below:
1- We submit that GO Ms 69 dated 12.4.2022 states that the restrictions imposed under para 3 of said GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996 are removed.
Below is extract from Para 3 of GO Ms 111:
Para 3 of GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996 prohibits ‘polluting industries, major hotels, residential colonies or other establishments that generate pollution, in the catchment of the lakes upto 10kms from full tank level of the lakes as per list in Annexure-I.....’
2- We further submit that, GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996 was issued based upon two reports and recommendations of ‘a Committee of experts in Industrial, Agricultural and habitation activities to suggest ways and means to monitor the quantity of water in these reservoirs’ and ‘after detailed discussions and a field visit to Osman sagar pipe lines’. Committee constituted by Hyderabad Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board.
Whereas, the GO 69 dated 12.4.2022 does not mention a single expert committee report or study report.
3- We further submit that, Supreme Court after relying on three ‘expert scientific and technological reports of high order’, ordered that, no polluting industry shall be permitted in the 10 kms buffer zone of the twin-resevoirs thus had upheld GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996.
In its orders dated 27.1.1999 and 22.12.2000, in CASE NO.: Appeal (civil) 368-371 of 1999 Appeal (civil) 372 of 1999 Appeal (civil) 373 of 1999 , emphasized on the two critical environmental principles viz., Precautionary Principles and Burden of Proof .
SC reiterated Article 21 Right to Life concerns and discussed threadbare the three Expert Reports submitted by expert committees:
i)- Report of Dr Bhowmick dated 16/8/2000
ii)- Report of NGRI of June 2000
iii)- Report of National Environmental Appellate Authority, New Delhi (NEAA)
‘In our view, the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981 have enough provision proposed applicable not only to new industries to be established but also to existing industries.
'The State of Andhra Pradesh is therefore directed hereby to identify these industries located within 10K.M. radius of these two lakes and to take action in consultation with the A.P.Pollution Control Board to prevent pollution to the drinking water in these two reservoirs.
'The State and the Board shall not permit any polluting industries within the 10 k.m radius.
‘Before parting with the case, we acknowledge the excellent Reports submitted to this Court by the three expert bodies on the basis of scientific/technological research of a very high order.
The amount of hard work done by these three bodies is commendable. But for these expert reports it would have been very difficult for this Court to resolve the complicated scientific issues involved in this case, with confidence.’
4- We submit that, GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996 has the backing of five expert scientific technological reports and Supreme Court Orders, while GO Ms 69 has not cited till date a single expert report to ‘remove restrictions imposed by GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996’.
Our RTI applications for reports if any by Government of Telangana are not answered till date nor placed in public domain.
5- We submit that, GO Ms 69 dated 12.4.2022 contains false information issued by Government of Telangana ‘By Order and in the name of the Governor of Telangana’.
Below is extract from GO Ms 69 dated 12.4.2022 :
‘Since the total installed capacity of drinking water for Hyderabad has grown up from 145MGD to 602 MGD and additional 344 MGD is also under execution, as result drawals dependability of these reservoirs is less than 1.25% and they are no longer the source of drinking water supply to Hyderabad City.
'Considering the above fact that Hyderabad city’s drinking water requirements are no longer dependent on Osman Sagar and Himayatsagar Reservoirs which was the underlying theme for issuance of GO111 dated 8.3.1996, Government after careful examination of the matter have decided that the restrictions imposed under para 3 of said GO Ms 111 dated 8.3.1996 are removed....’
Contrary to the false information given in the GO above, facts are as follows:
1- Even as on 19 aug 2022, the water drawals from Osman Sagar is 56.000MGD and water drawals from Himayath Sagar is 29.0000 MGD by gravity.
[source: https://www.hyderabadwater.gov.in/en/index.php/more/water-levels-reservoirs]
2- Even on the date of issue of the GO 69 i.e., 12.4.2022 stating that ‘they are no longer the source of drinking water supply to Hyderabad city’ the water drawals from the two reservoirs are 73.000MGD from Osman Sagar and 24.000MGD from Himayath Sagar by gravity.
[source: https://www.hyderabadwater.gov.in/en/index.php/more/water-levels-reservoirs]
3- Further, upto the time of 12.4.2022 the day GO 69 was issued the reservoirs contributed 1352 million gallons , by gravity, for the 102 years of this year. This accounts to 5% and more.
[source: https://www.hyderabadwater.gov.in/en/index.php/more/water-levels-reservoirs]
4- Further below is the year on year table indicating quantity and percentage of drawals:

5- Thus, false information has been issued by Government of Telangana, vide GO Ms 69 dated 12.4.2022 issued ‘By Order and in the name of the Governor of Telangana’.
6- We also submit that 29 Kaleshwaram pumps at Annaram and Medigadda were submerged in July 2022 after heavy rains near Badrachalam. And it is on such uncertain distant energy-based piped waters that the Government of Telangana wants the Hyderabad city to be dependent on, by falsely declaring the existing functioning water supply from the twin reservoirs as ‘no longer the sources of drinking water supply to Hyderabad city’.
We urge your good offices to redress our grievance with intervention and pray for repeal of GO Ms 69 dated 12.4.2022 issued with false information and issued ‘By Order and in the name of the Governor of Telangana’ , without any scientific or expert reports, but also that implementation of the said GO is detrimental and can be catastrophic to the Hyderabad city as two 100 year old reservoirs Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar were constructed as dams on river Moosa and river Esa, with the first and foremost purpose of preventing 1908 type of floods in Hyderabad city.
Any further information that your good offices requires that we may have we shall coordinate as our duty and responsibility towards our country in public interest.
----
*Dr Lubna Sarwath, Environmental and Social Worker, State President for WICCI Water Resources Council, Hyderabad
Smt Revati Thangavelu, Honorary Secretary, Dewan Bahadur Educational Institutes; former professor at Department of English, Osmania University, Hyderabad
Dr Jasveen Jairath, founder member, Save Our Urban Lakes
Shri Omim Debara, Petitioner in High Court to save GO111
Smt Kalavathy, petitioner to save Babaguda lake, Shameerpet
Shri Madhusudhan Raj P, Joint Secretary, High Court welfare association, Nacharam
Shri Vijay Bhaskar, Ekta Foundation

Comments

Eight years of empowering tribal communities through water initiatives in Chhattisgarh

By Gazala Paul* In the heart of Chhattisgarh, amidst the echoes of tribal life, a transformative journey has unfolded over the past eight years. The Samerth organization has diligently worked to elevate the lives of indigenous communities in the Kawardha district through the project, "Enabling Baiga Community to access safe drinking water."

Martin Crowe played instrumental role in making New Zealand a force in world cricket

By Harsh Thakor* Late Martin Crowe was the perfect manifestation of how mere figures could not convey or do justice to the true merit of a batsman. Crowe was arguably the most complete or majestic batsmen of his era or the ultimate embodiment of batting perfection, or the classical batsmen. He perished 7 years ago, due to a rare and aggressive form of cancer, follicular lymphoma, which originated in 2012. In September, we celebrated his 60th birthday but sadly he left for his heavenly abode.

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ* It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

Ceasefire a tactical victory for Palestinian resistance, protests intensify across globe

By Harsh Thakor* The Zionist leadership and Netanyahu’s government were compelled to concede the defeat of their first attempt after almost 50 days of daily fighting in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu was forced to concede that he was unsuccessful in suppressing the Palestinian Resistance; and that the release of the prisoners was only plausible because they accepted Hamas’ terms.

Odisha leadership crisis deepens: CM engages retired babus to oversee depts' work

By Sudhansu R Das Over decades, Odisha has lost much of its crop diversity, fertile agriculture land, water bodies, employment potential, handicraft and handloom skills etc. The state has failed to strike a balance between the urban and rural sector growth; this leads to the migration of villagers to the urban areas leading to collapse of the urban infrastructures and an acute labor shortage in rural areas. A large number of educated, skilled and unskilled Odia people have migrated to other states for higher education, quality jobs and for earning livelihood which plummet the efficiency level of government departments. Utmost transparency in the recruitment and promotion in the state government departments will improve governance mechanisms in the state. "No near and dear one approach" in governance mechanisms can only achieve inclusive growth for the state on payment basis. This is a moral hazard. When so many educated young people seek employment outside the

1982-83 Bombay textile strike played major role in shaping working class movement

By Harsh Thakor On January 18th, 1982 the working class movement commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Textile Workers Strike that lasted for 18 months, till July 1983. It was landmark event that played a major role in shaping the working class movement. With more than 2.5 lakh workers from 65 textile mills joining in this strike for almost two years, this strike became one of the most significant strikes in terms of scale and duration All democrats should applaud the mill workers’ united battle, and their unflinching resilience an death defying courage continues to serve as a model for contemporary working-class movements. Many middle class persons harboured opinions that the Textile workers were pampered or were a labour aristocracy, ignorant of how they were denied wages to provide for basic necessities. The Great Bombay Textile Strike is notably one of the most defining movements in the working class struggles in Post-independent India. Bombay’s textile industry flourished in

Massive tropical deforestation: Big finance's $307 billion go to forest-risk commodities

A note on report by Forests & Finance coalition -- Rainforest Action Network, TuK Indonesia, Profundo, Amazon Watch, Repórter Brasil, BankTrack, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Friends of the Earth US: *** A new report released on ‘Finance Day’ at COP28 by the Forests & Finance Coalition , provides a comprehensive look into the role big finance plays in driving deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change and human rights abuses in tropical forest regions. The report reveals that since the Paris Agreement, banks have pumped over $307 billion into high risk forestry and agriculture companies linked to tropical deforestation, proving that the policies of major global banks and investors are failing to prevent continued widespread forest and biodiversity loss.

20% of Indian businesses have no emission plan in place despite climate emergency: Report

By Jag Jivan New research underlines urgent need for strategies and transition plans to combat climate change, remain successful and meet stakeholder expectations.

Search This Blog