The Indian Navy’s proposal to establish a Very Low Frequency (VLF) station and naval base in Telangana’s Vikarabad District has been in the works for over a decade. This project, set within the Damagundem Reserve Forest, has sparked concerns due to its potential environmental impact, particularly the cutting of trees. However, the authorities have outlined several steps to mitigate the impact on the local ecosystem. Here’s an in-depth analysis of the project and its implications.
Overview of the VLF Station and Naval Base Project
The proposal, initially submitted by the Eastern Naval Command on September 7, 2010, involves the diversion of 1,174 hectares of forest land. The purpose of this land usage is primarily for setting up the VLF station, essential for submarine communication, along with an office and residential complex. The project’s necessity stems from the strategic importance of enhancing India’s naval defense systems.
- Project location: Damagundem Reserve Forest, Pudur Village, Vikarabad District
- Total land area: 1,174 hectares
- Primary purposes: Establishment of the VLF station, office, and residential facilities
The forest land was carefully divided for these needs, with 566.5608 hectares allocated for the VLF station itself and 607.0294 hectares designated as a restricted area to be preserved as a green belt.
Environmental Concerns and Tree Felling
One of the central environmental concerns regarding this project is the felling of trees. As per a report from the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Vikarabad in 2017, 898 trees were assessed for removal. The latest estimates indicate that the number of trees affected may not exceed 1,000, though the exact count will be finalized as the project progresses.
Authorities have assured that:
- A significant number of trees will be transplanted within the project area.
- Minimal tree felling will occur to meet the project’s essential requirements.
- Every effort will be made to reduce the environmental impact.
Furthermore, reports claiming that 12 lakh trees will be cut down are unfounded and have been officially refuted by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). The actual number of trees recorded in the area is 1,93,562, and not all of them will be felled.
Approval Process and Financial Contributions
The project’s approval process has been extensive, reflecting the complexity of diverting forest land for military purposes. The key milestones in the project approval are as follows:
- April 15, 2011: The State Government forwarded the proposal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India (GoI).
- January 15, 2014: Stage-1 approval was granted by the MoEF&CC.
- November 14, 2017: Stage-II (final) approval was granted by the MoEF&CC.
- December 19, 2017: The Telangana State Government issued Stage-II approval.
In compliance with environmental regulations, the User Agency (Eastern Naval Command) has deposited significant financial compensations, including Rs. 133.54 crores for compensatory afforestation (CA) and net present value (NPV) payments. Most recently, in January 2024, an additional Rs. 18.57 crores was paid into the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) account. The total payments for the project stand at Rs. 152.11 crores.
Local Resistance and Legal Challenges
Despite the approvals and financial commitments, the project has faced opposition from local communities. In June 2020, the Damagundem Forest Protection Joint Action Committee filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Telangana High Court, seeking to halt the project. The committee, represented by Sri Lingoji Muralidhar Rao, argued that the project would irreparably harm the forest ecosystem.
As of January 2024, no court orders have been issued to stop the tree felling. However, the PIL is still pending, and the court has been requested to direct authorities not to proceed with the deforestation in the interest of protecting the reserve forest.
Minimizing Environmental Impact
The Indian Navy and Telangana Forest Department have emphasized their commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of the project. The authorities have laid out a clear strategy:
- Green Belt Preservation: Over 52% of the diverted forest area will remain untouched, functioning as a green belt to mitigate environmental harm.
- Minimal Tree Felling: Only 48% of the total area will be used for construction. The actual number of trees to be cut will depend on construction needs and will be supervised closely by the Forest Department.
- Community Involvement: Gram Sabha resolutions were obtained in favor of the project from the local communities, and the Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) certificate was issued by the district collector, ensuring that the project respects the rights of the indigenous population.
Conclusion
While the VLF station and naval base project in Telangana are of great strategic importance to India’s national defense, it has raised valid environmental and community concerns. The government and the Indian Navy have demonstrated efforts to mitigate the impact on the Damagundem Reserve Forest by ensuring minimal deforestation, financial compensations for afforestation, and preserving a large portion of the forest as a green belt.
As the project moves forward, ongoing consultations with the Forest Department and local communities will be crucial to ensuring that both national security needs and environmental conservation can coexist. The outcome of the pending legal challenge will likely play a pivotal role in determining the project’s future.
National Security paramount: Telangana govt defends cooperation with the Centre for establishing a VLF Station/Naval Base at Pudur Village, Ranga Reddy district Less than 1000 trees will be felled and most of which will be translocated.
12lakh trees won’t be cut down. Final approval for the naval project was given by the then-BRS government BRS govt issued G.O. http://Ms.No. 44 on December 12, 2017, approving the diversion of 1174.00 Ha (2,900 acres) of forest land in Damagundam Reserve Forest, Hyderabad Division for the project.
Approval was in favor of Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. KTR is now condemning a project for which BRS govt gave the final approval CM Revanth Reddy will inaugurate the project on October 15, alongside Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, G. Kishan Reddy, and Bandi Sanjay.
Timeline of Key Events for Forest Land Diversion: August 11, 2014: District Forest Officer, Vikarabad, raised a Demand Notice for payment towards Compensatory Afforestation (CA) and Net Present Value (NPV). February 25, 2017: Revised Demand Notice issued due to wage rate increases and location changes for plantation. March 2, 2017: Rs. 133.54 crores paid into CAMPA and CAPD accounts for extraction charges. May 25, 2017: Compliance report on Stage-I submitted to the state government. July 31, 2017: MoEF & CC, GoI, requested additional information. September 21, 2017:
Telangana State Government submitted the required information to MoEF & CC. November 14, 2017: Stage-II (Final) approval granted by MoEF & CC, GoI, for 1174.00 Ha forest land diversion. December 19, 2017: State Government accorded final approval GO.Ms. No. 44. December 22, 2017: Final approval communicated to District Forest Officer, Vikarabad.
