Telangana High Court seeks status of Vanamohatsavam

A Two-Judge bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti on Tuesday directed the Additional Advocate General (AAG) to seek instructions and appraise the Court on the status of the Vanamahotsavam scheme, earlier known as Haritha Haram. The division bench dealt with a Public Interest litigation case filed by VATA foundation challenging the inaction of Commissioner of Manikonda Municipality and others in chopping 40 fully grown thriving trees around the Manikonda cricket ground without any permission from the authorities. The petitioner is an NGO which helps in translocating the trees when trees are cut for public purposes. The petitioner informed the court that nearly 100 trees were translocated to Manikonda cricket ground by their foundation in 2017 from



Kukatpally for the purpose of construction of a flyover between Jawaharlal Technological University (JNTU)and Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB). 

On the earlier occasion, the bench directed the authorities to forthwith stop chopping down the trees. On Tuesday, the AAG told the Court that the State was implementing a comprehensive plan for plantation of 3 crore trees. Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, speaking for the bench wondered why the State was planting eucalyptus trees, as the rate of decomposition of the said trees was very slow and it also decreases the utility of agricultural land. The AAG informed the Court that the State was taking steps to avoid planting eucalyptus trees and sought time to file a status report. Granting time, the bench posted the matter to July 15 for further hearing.