Will go out of way for protection of environment, ecology: SC on tree felling in Hyderabad
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed concern over the environmental damage due to the felling of a large number of trees on a land parcel next to the University of Hyderabad, and said it would go out of the way for the protection of environment and ecology.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih questioned the Telangana government over the "tearing hurry" to fell the trees there.
"You have to come up with a plan as to how you will restore those 100 acres (of land)," the bench told senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who appeared for Telangana.
Justice Gavai said the top court was surprised to see videos where animals were running for shelter.
The bench directed the wildlife warden of Telangana to take immediate steps to protect the wildlife.
"For the protection of the environment and ecology, we will go out of the way," Justice Gavai said.
While posting the matter for the next hearing on May 15, the bench orally said, "In the meantime, not a single tree will be felled there."
On April 3, the top court took suo motu cognisance of the state's tree felling drive in the Kancha Gachibowli forest and called it a "very serious" matter.
It asked the Telangana government to explain the "compelling urgency" for clearing the large tree cover and stayed any future activity till further orders
Students of the University of Hyderabad were protesting against the state government's plans to develop the 400-acre land parcel bordering the university.
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They were like my brothers: Survivor recalls how local Muslims helped her to safety after J&K attack
Srinagar: One of the survivors of the horrific attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, a resident of Karnataka, shared that local Muslim men helped her and her child reach a safer location, describing them as her “brothers” for their support and compassion.
Pallavi, the survivor, stated that she and her son were with her husband, Manjunath Rao, at the time he was shot. “We had reached the spot by horse riding. My husband was looking to buy something for my son to eat. Within minutes, I found my husband in a pool of blood. He died in front of my eyes, and I was helpless,” she shared.
Expressing gratitude to the locals who came to her aid during the horrific incident, Pallavi said that they have been extremely supportive and caring. “Three local Muslims, reciting ‘Bismillah’, helped us come down from the spot where the attack took place. They were like my brothers,” she said.
She added that one of them carried her son, while the other two helped her navigate the difficult terrain.
Pallavi, a manager at the Birur branch of the Malnad Areca Marketing Cooperative Society (MAMCOS), said it had been her husband’s dream to visit Kashmir. Visibly distressed, she said, “Now, I feel we should not have come here.”
Manjunath Rao, a 47-year-old realtor, was on a trip to Jammu Kashmir with his wife and their 18-year-old son. They had left Shivamogga for the trip on April 19 and were scheduled to return on April 24.
Geetha, the mother-in-law of Manjunatha Rao, expressed deep sorrow, stating that the family had sent their children to Kashmir believing the government's assurances of safety. She said they would not have allowed the trip had they been informed that the situation there was unsafe.
Meanwhile, district in-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa informed the bereaved family about the arrangements made by the state government to bring Manjunatha Rao's mortal remains back to Shivamogga.
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