Over 50 farmers in Telangana have filed a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in the Telangana High Court against various companies for encroachment and pollution of Tungakunta Lake in Mekaguda village, Ranga Reddy district. The PIL, signed by 57 farmers, specifically mentions Natco Pharma, Microsoft, NDL, and Pokarna Granite, alleging that their activities have polluted the groundwater in five nearby villages, affecting the lives of 20,000 villagers.
The PIL focuses on protecting the lake in survey no 886 and Naksha Road in survey nos 856, 858, 878, 880, 884, 883, 882, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 897, 898, 899, 900, 902, and 904 of the village. The petition argues that the encroachment and pollution are illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional, and violate principles of natural justice as well as Section 23(1) to 5 of Walta Act and Article 14, 21, and 300A of the Constitution.
One of the tenant farmers in Mekaguda, Bandaru Shekaraiah, spoke to The Hans India and explained that the lake and its surrounding areas have been heavily polluted by the effluents released by these companies. This pollution has resulted in devastating losses for him as he is unable to grow vegetables. The pharma companies have been major contributors to the pollution in the area, affecting all nearby villages. Shekaraiah shared that twenty of his cows died in the past few years after consuming polluted water. The situation has become so dire that even using groundwater for cultivation is not possible. Shekaraiah himself is now suffering from skin-related ailments. He relies on his seven acres of farmland in the village.
