The High Court has granted permission for the Bahujan Bathukamma festival to be held in the Damagundam Reserve Forest in the Vikarabad district. The court stated that the event can take place near the Ramalingeshwara Swamy temple located within the forest. Scheduled for October 6, this Sunday, the court has directed that police arrangements be made for the event, emphasizing that peaceful protests are a constitutional right. It is noteworthy that the state government has already permitted the establishment of a radar center in the Damagundam Reserve Forest.
Background of Damagundam Reserve Forest
Damagundam Reserve Forest, situated in the Pudur mandal of Vikarabad district, boasts a history of over a hundred years. The forest, adjacent to the Ananthagiri Reserve Forest, is home to thousands of plant and tree species, including many medicinal plants. The state government has approved the establishment of a radar station for submarine and naval communication in this area, which spans approximately 3,000 acres. Reports suggest that around 1.2 million plants will be cut down to facilitate the construction of this station. Additionally, the Navy has indicated in a notice to the government that they plan to plant approximately 1.17 million trees after the clearance.
Local residents and environmentalists are expressing concerns over the plans to destroy nearly 1.2 million trees and the forest in order to set up the radar station. They highlight that the Musi River, which flows into Hyderabad, originates from the Damagundam forest, which also hosts many trees with medicinal properties. The Ramalingeshwara Swamy temple, which has been a site of worship for over 500 years, is also located in this forest.
Environmental experts warn that constructing a radar station in this green area, known for its clean air and lush trees, is detrimental. They stress the need to protect forests to combat global warming, stating that the destruction of nearly 3,000 acres of forest will pose a future threat not only to Vikarabad and its surroundings but also to Hyderabad.