NEWS ITEM TITLED "NEGLECTED KATORA HOUZ IN HYDERABAD,S GOLCONDA FORT CRIES FOR ATTENTION APPEARING IN THE SIASAT DAILY DATED 25 MAY 2025" vs

1 Item No.

04 BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI (VACATION BENCH) Original Application No.

296/2025 In Re: News Item Titled "Neglected Katora Houz in Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort Cries for attention appearing in ‘The Siasat Daily’ dated 25 May 2025".

Date of hearing: 05.06.2025 CORAM: HON’BLE MR.

JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR.

A.

SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER Applicant: Suo motu.

Respondents: None for the respondents.

ORDER 1.

This original application is registered suo-motu based on the news item titled “Neglected Katora Houz in Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort Cries for attention” appearing in ‘The Siasat Daily’ dated 25.05.2025.

2.

The news item relates to the poor condition of Katora Houz, a historic water tank located inside Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort.

It states that the tank, which was once an important source of water, is now full of garbage and has no water left.

The article also points out that the area surrounding the tank is facing increasing encroachments, which are further contributing to its deterioration.

Furthermore, it mentions that although the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) conducted a 10-day cleanup operation in 2025 to remove water hyacinth and debris, the pool has since reverted to being a dumping ground.

3.

The matter above seems to attract the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains 2 Act, 1958.

4.

The power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs.

Ankita Sinha &Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.

5.

Hence, we implead the following as respondents in the matter: i.

Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032.

Phone: +91-11-43102030.

Email: [email protected]. ii. ic.in. ii.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Through its Commissioner, BRKR Bhavan, Tank Bund Road, Hyderabad – 500063.

Phone : 040-23224564.

Email: [email protected]. iii.

Telangana State Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary, A-3, Paryavaran Bhavan, Sanath Nagar Rd, Sanath Nagar, Industrial Estate, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500018.

Phone: 040-23887518.

Email: [email protected]. iv.

District Magistrate, Hyderabad, 6-2-10, Lakdikapul, Hyderabad,500004.

Phone: 040-23202833.

Email: [email protected].

6.

Let notices be issued to the respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit.

7.

Even though in the present case cognizance has been taken by this Bench on the basis of above said news item with the approval and assignment under order of Hon’ble Chairperson, but in view of the facts and circumstances of the case including the fact that the place of accrual 3 of cause of action lies within jurisdiction of the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai we are of the considered view that it will be appropriate if the case is further heard by the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai.

8.

Accordingly, the Registry is directed to list the matter before the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai on 06.08.2025 after obtaining orders from Hon’ble the Chairperson for transfer of the case, if so required.

9.

Replies/ responses may be filed by the respondents before the Southern Zone Bench of this Tribunal at Chennai at least one week before the date of hearing fixed.

Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM Dr.

Senthil Vel, EM June 05th, 2025 Original Application No.

296/2025 AB