Hyderabad: HYDRAA on Friday fenced nearly 200 acres of government land in Puppalaguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad, protecting valuable public property and preserving historic rock formations estimated to be 250 crore years old.
The operation took place on World Environment Day at the Puppalaguda-Khajaguda border in Gandipet mandal of Ranga Reddy district.
Officials said the HYDRAA government land protection drive safeguarded land valued at nearly Rs 30,000 crore. The exercise also protected ancient rock formations, natural vegetation and prehistoric rock shelters in the area.
The action followed directions issued by the Telangana High Court to protect government land and conserve the historic rock formations.
HYDRAA government land operation follows court directions
Representatives of the Society to Save Rocks had campaigned for several years to preserve the historic rock formations and prevent encroachments.
The organisation approached the High Court, which directed the Municipal Administration and Revenue departments in 2019 to identify boundaries and protect the land.
However, delays in fencing allegedly created opportunities for encroachments. Subsequently, Society to Save Rocks representatives raised the issue during HYDRAA Prajavani meetings.
HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath personally reviewed the matter earlier. Thereafter, HYDRAA officials conducted field inspections along with Revenue and Municipal Administration officials.
Following verification of records and land ownership details, authorities initiated fencing works on Friday to secure the property.
HYDRAA government land drive protects heritage rocks
According to revenue records, Survey No. 452/1 contains 174 acres of government land, while Survey No. 454/1 contains 119.05 acres.
Together, the two survey numbers account for 293.05 acres. Of this, the State Government had previously allotted 263.05 acres to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).
Revenue officials later identified 63.05 acres as private land because of overlap issues between two villages. Consequently, around 200 acres remained under HMDA ownership.
Revenue records also show that authorities allotted five acres each to temples and a dargah within the broader area.
After excluding these allocations, HYDRAA secured the remaining 200 acres of HMDA land. Moreover, the exercise protected the historic rock formations that environmental groups had sought to preserve.
Representatives of the Society to Save Rocks praised HYDRAA for protecting the unique geological formations. They said the operation safeguarded naturally elevated rock hills and heritage landscapes with immense ecological value.
Residents, devotees and environmental activists also welcomed the initiative. Furthermore, they appreciated the government’s efforts to resolve a long-pending issue.
Officials said HYDRAA is simultaneously restoring Bhagirathamma Cheruvu located beside the hill formations. Once restoration is complete, the area could emerge as a prominent tourism destination combining natural heritage, water conservation and scenic landscapes.