The AP High Court order dated 15-6-2001, in WP No. 23768 of 2000, precludes rising of any further permanent structures including those involving commercial activities, on or near water spread or catchment area of Husein Sagar. However, the other aspects of the proposed activities via, construction of an amusement park etc. not involving rising of permanent structures may be allowed with prior clearance of AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB), ensuring that creation of such entertainment parks etc. would result only in sustainable development which would not create any ecological imbalance.
But unfortunately, a number of commercial activities, namely "Water Front" Restaurant, Commercial Activities in Rock Gardens etc. have subsequently come up encroaching on to the water body itself along the Necklace Road, in violation of AP High Court directive dated 15-06-2001 These activities seem to have been permitted in the name of temporary structures on a permanent basis, which are as bad as permanent structures, going against the objective of sustainable development, and creating ecological balance, in and around Hussein Sagar.
The commercial and recreational activities permitted in and around Hussein Sagar, namely I-max Theater, Dr.Car, Eat Street, Lumbini Park,NTR Garden, Exhibitions held in People's Plaza
etc. are resulting in overcrowding the areas around Hussein Sagar, causing traffic congestion,
parking problems, noise pollution and air pollution in the area, having serious adverse environmental impact in and around Hussein Sagar. The addition of commercial activity in the name of Floating Restaurant to promote tourism , is only going to aggravate the situation which is already
bad.
The proposed. "Floating Restaurant" is nothing but a floating structure permanently located right in Hussein Sagar, for carrying on a commercial activity in utter disregard and violation of AP High Court Order dated 15-06-2001 in W.P.No 26378/2000. Even assuming that the floating structure is not a self propelling structure ( without engines ), it needs to have Diesel Generator set for providing the amenities such as Air Conditioning, Water Pumping, Lighting etc which is bound to cause pollution. Judging by the present performance, APPCB does not seem to have the required infrastructure to monitor and control discharge of various wastes generated in a floating restaurant day in and day out.
The Supreme Court Bench delivering the judgment in "Lucknow Aminuddaula Park Underground Shopping Complex Case" cautioned that "When a State holds a resource, which is available for the free use of the general public, a court will look with considerable skepticism upon any governmental conduct, which is calculated either to reallocate the resource to more restricted uses or to subject public uses to the self interest of private parties"
Therefore commercial / recreational activities, whether in temporary or floating Structures, on a permanent basis, should not be permitted in and around Hussein Sagar, which should be left alone, by protecting & preserving from ecological degradation, as Natural, and Peaceful Recreation Center Right in the Heart of City, a rare gift to the Citizens of Hyderabad City.
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Ecological preservation is often the primary concern when proposing a floating structure for any purpose across the globe, from commercial and industrial purposes to recreational and residential purposes. People often get ahead of themselves with design and function, but their focus should be approval before proceeding with any type of design and logistics.
ReplyDeleteThe approvals matter for those who care for ecology and respect the Rule of Law. But unfortunately, particularly in India, non-compliance of Rules has become a status symbol and high-profit business instead of making social-outcasts and high-risk business
DeleteNo kidding, a status symbol. Wow, that's some kind of way to try and set yourself apart from the crowd. In the US, I know that floating structures (houseboats in particular) can be popular along slower rivers, and though houseboaters need permission (from Army Corp of Engineers) to moor their boats, many just try and bypass permission and proceed anyway. In this case, however, it is not to create a status symbol for themselves. It's just to bypass red tape.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your observations. The objection is not against the floating structures (House Boats) in general. The issue pertains to the proposed Floating Restaurant in Hussein Sagar, a static water body in Hyderabad City which has already been highly polluted,despite Acts and Rules to prevent/ control pollution of water bodies.
ReplyDeleteI feel that bypassing statutory permissions,particularly having security considerations & adverse impacts on ecology, can not be justified even to bypass red tape.