Kotwalguda aqua park and aviary lacks clearance, says plea in HC; seeks stay on inauguration

Hyderabad: A public interest litigation (PIL) urged the Telangana High Court to restrain the State Government from inaugurating what is projected as India’s largest aqua marine park and aviary at Kothwalguda Village, Rajendra Nagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District.

The PIL has been filed by film actor Renu Desai and G Sri Divya, along with three others.

The petitioners urged the court to halt the inauguration and ongoing works until a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) is conducted, citing possible effects on marine life, bird populations and natural habitats.

‘Project lacks mandatory environmental clearances’

Appearing for the petitioners, advocate P Sree Ramya submitted that construction works were underway and nearly Rs 300 crore of public money had already been spent on the project. She argued that the project lacked mandatory environmental clearances from competent authorities.

The counsel further highlighted concerns over water consumption, stating that the project is expected to require nearly 3 million litres of water at a time when residents of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are already experiencing water shortages.

She also brought to the court’s notice a government press release issued about the proposed inauguration despite the pendency of the case and pointed to a communication from the Animal Welfare Board of India urging that construction be stopped.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), she said, was also not informed about key aspects of the project, indicating negligence on the part of State authorities. She sought an interim order directing the status quo.

‘No aqua marine park, only an aviary’

Countering the allegations, Additional Advocate General Mohd. Imran Khan informed the Bench that the government was fully compliant with all statutory requirements. He clarified that contrary to the petitioners’ claims, ‘there are no dolphins, no water and no aqua marine park — it is only an aviary.’

He placed on record a letter dated February 17, addressed by the State Government to the Central Zoo Authority, assuring that only exotic species listed under Schedule IV would be housed, and that no species falling under Schedules I, II or III would be included.

All the animals proposed are declared captive animals, he said.

The Additional AG Imran Khan added that the only pending issue is whether a zoo licence is required, for which a response from the Central Zoo Authority Member Secretary is awaited.

Accordingly, the facility has not been opened to the public yet. An application for the Central Zoo Authority, clearance has already been submitted, he said.

Observing that there was no imminent indication of any inauguration as alleged by the petitioners, the Bench directed the State government to continue complying with all statutory requirements for the construction of the aviary project.