While the election promotions are going on in full swing, GO 111 has become the main topic of discussion among real estate circles, farmers, and the public as to which party will take a stand on this GO.
While the government wants to scrap the GO, people from different communities, environmentalists, social organizations, and various political parties want to continue to contribute to the conservation of the twin reservoirs. They are demanding to keep the GO intact as part of the flood prevention measures to save the city of Hyderabad. In this background, the attitude of the main political parties towards this GO has become uncertain. On the other hand, the government has announced that it will lift this GO from 2022 until now. It was replaced by GO 69. However, it did not come into effect. The government has made it clear that a resolution has been passed in the Council of Ministers that GO 111 is being lifted. But technically, it did not come into force. The government has brought to the notice of the court that GO 111 restrictions are continuing as usual twice. Due to this, the current situation of this GO is being called into question.
GO 111, enacted on March 8, 1990, to protect the twin reservoirs from pollution, banned around 1.32 lakh acres in 84 villages. In order to protect Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar from pollutants and various types of waste, no shelters, hotels, industries, or multi-storied buildings should be constructed in their area. The Supreme Court supported GO 111 based on the three scientific reports given by Dr. Bhowmik of NGRI Hyderabad, IIT Mumbai, and NAA in Delhi. They said that there is a need to protect the reservoirs for the needs of future generations. It said that no construction should be undertaken up to 10 kilometres from the catchment area of those reservoirs.
The soils up to 10 km droop in the rain. Also, pollutants can spread quickly if they reach this land. Due to this, pollution can damage the reservoirs. Hence, it is advised not to undertake any construction up to 10 km for that.
• Presently, the twin reservoirs are filled with pure rainwater and provide equally pure water to the people. Conserving rainwater increases groundwater levels. The proposed STPs and ring mains could not protect these ponds. In the future, if there is any damage to the reservoir lands, the surrounding lands will be ruined. This will increase global warming, and temperatures will rise. It poses a threat to the environment.
As GO 111 has been scrapped, there are allegations that the violation of arbitrary sanctions continues. Some realtors are currently changing land use documents from HMDA with ETPRI approvals. There are talks that large-scale construction is currently going on on the lands where such land use conversion permits have been obtained in Vattinagulapally and other areas that fall under GO 111.
The GO should be strictly implemented not only to protect the twin reservoirs that provide drinking water to the city but also for biodiversity conservation. Major parties in the election ring should consider this matter seriously. This is a crucial aspect of the city’s future, says Lubna Sarwath, a social activist.
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