ncient Secunderabad Rock Heritage Faces Encroachment

Ancient Secunderabad Rock Heritage Faces Encroachment Threat

Why in the News ?

The Society to Save Rocks has alleged that ancient rock formations in Ammuguda, Secunderabad Cantonment, are being destroyed through blasting activities to facilitate a real estate project, raising concerns over environmental conservation and protection of defence land.

ncient Secunderabad Rock Heritage Faces Encroachment

Destruction of Ancient Rock Formations

  • Environmental activists have reported the systematic destruction of billions-of-years-old rock formations in the Ammuguda area of Secunderabad.
  • The site consists of unique granite hillocks, boulders, and open scrublands that serve as important ecological and recreational spaces.
  • Members of the Society to Save Rocks observed bulldozers and evidence of blasting operations that had already destroyed a significant portion of the rock structures.
  • The area has traditionally been used for trekking, rock climbing, and outdoor activities by local residents and nature enthusiasts.
  • The hillocks also hold historical significance, as legendary athlete Milkha Singh reportedly trained in the region during the 1950s.

Allegations of Encroachment and Conservation Concerns

  • Activists claim that the destruction is linked to attempts to develop a real estate project on land believed to belong to the Defence Department, allegedly without proper environmental clearance or adherence to EIA notification requirements.
  • Evidence cited includes a defence land signboard that allegedly appears to have been shifted from its original location.
  • Local residents contend that efforts to encroach upon the area have been ongoing for more than a decade, with concerns that ex post facto or retrospective environmental clearances may be sought to legitimize unauthorized activities.
  • Conservationists warn that the loss of these geological formations would permanently damage an irreplaceable natural heritage resource and violate principles of environmental jurisprudence including the precautionary principle and polluter pays principle.
  • The incident highlights broader concerns regarding urban expansion, inadequate environmental safeguards, and the protection of ecologically sensitive landscapes, raising questions about environmental democracy and the need for proper environmental impact assessment before undertaking such projects.

About Geological Heritage and Rock Conservation :

●  Geological heritage sites are areas possessing significant scientific, educational, cultural, or aesthetic value due to unique geological features.

●  The Deccan Plateau region, including Telangana, contains some of the world’s oldest granite rock formations, dating back billions of years.

●  Ancient rock ecosystems support biodiversity by providing habitats for plants, birds, reptiles, and small mammals, contributing to a pollution free environment.

●  The Society to Save Rocks is a voluntary organization working to protect Hyderabad’s unique rocky landscapes from destruction.

●  Urbanization and quarrying are major threats to geological heritage sites across India, often requiring intervention under the Forest Conservation Act and other environmental protection laws.

●  Conservation of geological heritage aligns with the objectives of sustainable development, biodiversity protection, and environmental preservation, with landmark cases like the Vanashakti judgment reinforcing the importance of protecting ecologically sensitive areas.