Telangana HC issues notice to govt in Hyderabad Aqua Marine Park case

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has issued notices to the government asking them to furnish reasons for establishing India’s largest Aqua Marine Park and Aviary at Kothwalguda, Hyderabad.

The notices were issued to Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, and the Commissioner, HMDA directing them to respond by August 4.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji asked the government to respond to the contentions of the petitioners, who are opposing Aqua Marine Park and Aviary citing irreparable damage to the environment and wildlife.

The PIL was filed by G. Diva, a film actress, and three others seeking direction to restrain the state government from going ahead with setting up the largest Aqua Marine Park and Aviary in Hyderabad.

When the counsel submitted her contention, Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asked her why the petitioners are opposing Marine Park in Hyderabad as it will be a good tourist place like Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries.

The counsel for the petitioners informed the Court that setting up such Marine Parks will lead to the extinction of rare animals and fish, as their life expectancy in the artificial facility is very less.

The counsel further informed the Court that natural wildlife is already undergoing a sixth mass extinction. The counsel said 83% of the planet’s freshwater has been lost in the last 50 years and there is a steep decline in the population of sharks, swordfish, etc.

The matter has been adjourned to August 4, 2023.