1 week ago
Residents Challenge HMDA Tree Cutting At Historic Paigah Palace
Paigah Palace is an old and important building in Begumpet.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority is renovating it for use as its headquarters.
Residents say workers cut down nearly 50 trees on the palace grounds.
They worry that birds and peacocks lost their homes.
They also say the trees gave nearby families fresh air and open space.
Residents believe the work should have protected more greenery.
HMDA says most of the trees had not grown properly and that some were moved elsewhere on the campus.
The authority also says forest officials approved the work.
Residents allege HMDA removed nearly 50 trees from Paigah Palace between Saturday and Monday morning.
They say the tree loss displaced peacocks, birds, honeycombs and butterflies.
Paigah Palace is being renovated to become the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority headquarters.
Residents say the palace’s greenery served as open space for nearly 1,000 nearby families.
HMDA executive engineer Dhanmohan Singh said some trees were relocated and the work had required permissions.
- Who
- Residents near Paigah Palace and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, represented on the issue by executive engineer Dhanmohan Singh.
- What
- Nearly 50 trees were allegedly cut down during renovation of the Paigah Palace campus; HMDA says some trees were relocated.
- Where
- Paigah Palace in Begumpet, Hyderabad.
- When
- The tree removal reportedly occurred between Saturday and Monday morning; the articles provide no calendar dates.
- Why
- HMDA is renovating the palace to shift its headquarters there, while residents say the tree removal harmed greenery and wildlife.
Residents’ concerns
HMDA’s explanation
Extent of tree removal
Residents’ concerns
Residents say authorities razed nearly 50 trees and removed much of the campus greenery.
HMDA’s explanation
HMDA says some trees were relocated within the campus and that most of the affected trees had not shown growth.
Impact on wildlife and residents
Residents’ concerns
Residents say the trees sheltered peacocks, birds, honeycombs and butterflies, and provided open space for nearby families.
HMDA’s explanation
HMDA’s statement does not address the reported impact on wildlife or the area’s residents.
Process and permissions
Residents’ concerns
Residents say they were not given an opportunity to protest and question why renovation could not preserve the greenery.
HMDA’s explanation
HMDA says the work was completed with all permissions and only after forest officials approved it.
Key facts
- Site
- Paigah Palace, Begumpet
- Building age
- About 125 years old
- Reported trees removed
- Nearly 50, according to residents
- Planned use
- Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority headquarters
- Nearby households served by greenery
- Nearly 1,000 families, according to residents
- HMDA explanation
- Most trees had not shown growth; some were relocated within the campus
- Approval claimed by HMDA
- The work was carried out after forest officials gave permission
Quotes
Laxmi Narasimham
Retired employee and resident of Indian Airlines Colony
“They savaged all the greenery. Trees were razed between Saturday and Monday morning. I have lived here for 36 years. The palace was full of trees that gave shelter to peacocks, birds, honeycombs and butterflies. Even during the US consulate days, the greenery was maintained. But now the authorities have razed it all.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Most of these trees had not shown growth. Some were relocated within the campus. The work was done with all permissions and only after forest officials gave the nod.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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