Heritage at Risk: NGT Steps In Over Coal Mine Near Ramappa Temple
The NGT takes suo motu cognisance of a proposed coal mine near Telangana's UNESCO-recognised Ramappa Temple, fearing damage to the heritage site.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of a potential environmental and heritage crisis in Telangana. The legal body is intervening after reports emerged regarding a proposed coal mining project situated dangerously close to the UNESCO-recognised Ramappa Temple and the adjacent Ramappa Lake.
The move comes as the NGT observes that the project raises significant questions about the implementation of environmental laws and compliance with established norms. The case was registered by a bench consisting of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad, following a news report published on October 5 titled “Activists Worry Coal Mine Near Ramappa Temple May Harm Heritage Site and Lake.”
A Threat to Ancient Architecture
The Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple, widely known as the Ramappa Temple, is not just a local landmark but a globally recognized treasure. Located in the Mulugu district of Telangana, the temple is celebrated for its unique engineering, including a nearly 800-year-old sand-box foundation.
However, conservationists have sounded the alarm, noting that the temple has already shown signs of distress. There are grave concerns that the industrial activity associated with coal mining could exacerbate these structural vulnerabilities and permanently damage the heritage site.
Environmental Alarms: The Lake and Groundwater
The proposed project, spearheaded by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), involves excavation plans that are reportedly just 300 metres away from the Ramappa Lake. This proximity has sparked fears of an ecological disaster.
According to the reports reviewed by the Tribunal, there is a significant risk that changes in the water levels of the Ramappa Lake could alter groundwater movement. Experts worry that geological lineaments and faults could channel this water toward the proposed mine, potentially destabilizing the surrounding landscape and the temple's foundation.
Legal Action and Accountability
The NGT highlighted that these proposed activities indicate possible violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Citing the Supreme Court's precedent in the case of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs Ankita Sinha & Ors, the Tribunal affirmed its power to take up such critical matters on its own initiative.
To ensure a comprehensive investigation, the NGT has impleaded several key authorities as respondents, including:
- The Telangana Pollution Control Board
- The District Collector of Mulugu
- The Central Pollution Control Board
- The Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Chennai
- The Central Ground Water Authority
What Happens Next?
The Tribunal has issued formal notices to all the aforementioned respondents, directing them to submit their detailed responses via affidavits. Given that the site is located in Telangana, the Principal Bench has transferred the case and all original records to the Southern Zonal Bench in Chennai for further proceedings and action.