Telangana High Court Issues Slew Of Directions For Conversation And Regulation Of Water

The Telangana High Court today issued a slew of directions for the conversation and regulation of water in the State.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti was seized of a writ petition that was taken up following a letter addressed to the Court in 2005 by a journalist, highlighting the issue of non-availability of water in the State.

Considering the writ had been pending since 2005, it was represented that the matter had become infructuous. Not paying heed to this submission, the bench noted that the issue of water conversation cannot become infructuous.

The Principal Secretary to the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department was thus directed to identify all structures that do not have a rainwater harvesting structure (RWHS) and implement the same.

The Principal Secretary, Panchayat Raj, and Rural Development was directed to set up RWHS in all urban local bodies.

“The State Government shall ensure implementation of G.O.Ms.No.49, dated 31.O3.2O23. The State Government, in addition, shall examine the necessity of water recycling plants even for smaller structures as well and to take requisite action,” the Bench directed.

The State was directed to issue a notification for the protection and preservation of water under section 11 of the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act, 2002.

The Ground Water Department was directed to carry out a time bound exercise to find out whether the existing bore wells across the State of Telangana are complying with the provisions of the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act 2OO2 and to take necessary action, thereof.

With the agenda to inculcate the importance of the preservation of water at a young age, the bench has also directed the State to consider the necessity of introducing of water presentation, distribution, and re-utilisation curriculum for classes 3 to 5 in schools across the State of Telangana and higher level information for classes 6 and above.

The bench also expressed hope that if need so arises, the State Government shall undertake the review of water levels and impose appropriate restrictions for use of drinking water for gardening purposes.

When the matter was first taken up, the Court had appointed an amicus curie in the matter to assist the Court. The Amicus recommended the formation of a 'Watch Dog Committee' to monitor and implement methods of water conservation and harvesting. In furtherance of this recommendation, the State Government was directed to apprise this Court with regard to the timelines within which the Watch Dog Committee could be set up.

Case no.: WRIT PETITION NO: 1615 OF 2005

Advocate D.Prakash Reddy, Amicus Curiae.

Mohd. Imran Khan,(Senior Counsel) Additional Advocate General for the State

Ch.Jaya Krishna counsel representing Mr. K.Ravinder Reddy, Standing Counsel for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation

G.Narender Reddy, Standing Counsel for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water supply and Sewerage Board

V.Siddhivardhana, learned Special Government Pleader attached to the office of the learned Advocate General.

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