NGT Petition Reveals Hyderabad Ring Road Project Could Destroy Over 81000 Trees

A petition filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has revealed that the proposed northern section of the Hyderabad Regional Ring Road (RRR) could impact more than 81,000 trees and poles. The 158 km northern corridor of the project is slated to run from Girmapur in Sangareddy district to Choutuppal in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, passing through Medak and Siddipet districts.

The petition was filed before the NGT by Gouraram Sri Ram Reddy, a local farmer whose land is likely to be acquired for the greenfield expressway project.

According to the official documents submitted to the tribunal, the tree enumeration records a total of 81,007 affected trees and poles along the proposed corridor. Of these, 57,632 have been classified as trees, while 23,375 are classified as poles, representing immature vegetation. The enumeration tables treat these poles as a category distinct from fully grown trees.

Reserve forest areas account for the bulk of the affected vegetation, with 54,467 trees and poles located within these zones. This forest count includes 13,872 poles. The tree inventory lists several valuable species in the forest areas, including rosewood, red sanders, neem, teak, and peepal.

In addition to the forest land, the project is expected to impact 26,540 trees and poles on agricultural land, of which 9,503 are classified as poles. The agricultural species marked for impact include mango, coconut, and custard apple trees.

The physical tree enumeration was carried out by consultants appointed by the project agency as part of the development process for the greenfield regional expressway. The specific enumeration lists for the Siddipet stretch of the project have already been certified by the district forest officer.

The acquisition of agricultural land and the potential destruction of thousands of fruit-bearing and forest trees remain key concerns for local farmers along the route as the NGT reviews the case.