NHRC notice to Govt over mining near Ramappa Temple

The intervention follows a complaint filed by rights lawyer Rama Rao Immaneni, who highlighted the ecological and structural risks posed by heavy blasting, excavation, and pollution

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Telangana government regarding the proposed expansion of the Singareni Open Cast-4 coal mining project near Dharmaraopet, citing serious threats to the UNESCO world heritage site Ramappa Temple.

The intervention follows a complaint filed by rights lawyer Rama Rao Immaneni, who highlighted the ecological and structural risks posed by heavy blasting, excavation, and pollution. The complaint underscores that mining activities threaten not only the 13th-century Kakatiya-era temple, but also Ramappa Lake, surrounding green cover, agricultural lands, and nearby villages. Advocate Immaneni cautioned that reviving the project—despite earlier objections—without transparent environmental, social, and heritage impact assessments risks irreversible damage to the historical monument

He added that the project imperils local livelihoods, threatens community displacement, and violates the fundamental Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Taking serious note of the representations, the NHRC forwarded the complaint to the Telangana Chief Secretary, directing the state administration to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing following the four-week period.