Demand to file complaint with the Center on violation of Pharmacity environmental permits Destruction of forest lands.. Pressure on farmers for lands.. Activists’ appeal to cancel environmental permits Local farmers, public associations and environmental protection activists are alleging that serious violations are being committed in the implementation of environmental permits related to the proposed Pharmacity project in Rangareddy district. In this context, they are demanding that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change file a complaint and immediately cancel the environmental permit granted to the project. They are stating that the environmental permit clearly stipulates that “forest lands should not be used under any circumstances” and that “land should be acquired only with the voluntary consent of the owner.” However, they are alleging that work is currently continuing in violation of these two main conditions. Locals are expressing their concern that large-scale removal of trees and flattening of forest lands is taking place in the Kurmidda forest area. They warn that the destruction of forests, which are crucial to the ecological balance, will cause serious damage to biodiversity, groundwater conservation, and the local ecosystem. Similarly, the farmers allege that even if they do not voluntarily give up their lands, they are being pressured in various forms and are committing atrocities. Stating that this is completely against the conditions of the environmental permit, they demand action against the relevant authorities. The public associations are demanding that the Union Environment Ministry immediately conduct an inquiry into all these issues and ascertain the facts, and that the environmental permit given to the Pharmacity project be canceled if the violation of the permit conditions is proven. However, an official response from the relevant government departments or the Pharmacity project managers is yet to be issued on these allegations. Observers are of the opinion that the real situation is likely to become clear after the investigation.
