MASS PETITION / JOINT REPRESENTATION REQUEST FOR CANCELLATION / WITHDRAWAL OF G.O.Rt.NO.641 AND PROTECTION OF SIDDAPUR & SURROUNDING VILLAGES FROM THE PROPOSED WASTE MANAGEMENT / WASTE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY

To
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana
Government of Telangana
Hyderabad, Telangana

Copies submitted to:

- The Hon’ble Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development
- The Hon’ble Minister for Environment & Forests
- The Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana
- The Principal Secretary / Special Chief Secretary concerned
- The Member Secretary, Telangana Pollution Control Board
- The District Collector, Ranga Reddy District
- The Revenue Divisional Officer / Tahsildar concerned
- Other competent authorities concerned with the proposed project

Subject

Joint representation and mass petition seeking cancellation / withdrawal of G.O.Rt.No.641 and reconsideration of the proposed Siddapur Dumping Yard / Waste Management / Waste-to-Energy facility, in view of concerns regarding agricultural land, water resources, environment, public health, livelihoods and the future of Siddapur and surrounding villages and Lambadi Thandas.

Respected Sir/Madam,

We, the undersigned residents, farmers, agricultural labourers, dairy farmers, women, youth and other members of the communities of Siddapur Village, Kothur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, and the surrounding villages and Lambadi Thandas, respectfully submit this joint representation.

We approach the Government not as representatives of any political party, but as citizens and affected communities who are deeply concerned about the future of our land, water, agriculture, environment and the next generation.

The issue before us is not merely the establishment of another infrastructure project.

For the people living in and around Siddapur, the proposed waste management / Waste-to-Energy facility associated with G.O.Rt.No.641 raises fundamental questions concerning land use, environmental protection, water security, agricultural livelihoods, transportation of waste, pollution control, community participation and long-term social impact.

We therefore request the Government to reconsider the decision and protect the interests of the affected communities.

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1. SIDDAPUR IS AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY

Siddapur is not an isolated piece of vacant land.

The surrounding region is predominantly connected with agriculture, dairy farming and agricultural labour. Farmers have invested generations of effort, money and labour in developing their lands and sustaining their families.

For a farming family, agricultural land represents much more than its market value.

It represents:

- Food security;
- Family livelihood;
- Livestock and dairy income;
- Employment;
- An inheritance passed from one generation to another;
- The economic security of children;
- The foundation of rural life.

Any large-scale waste facility proposed in or around such an agricultural landscape therefore requires careful examination of its potential long-term consequences.

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2. THE IMPACT MAY EXTEND BEYOND SIDDAPUR

The concerns raised by the people are not limited to the boundaries of Siddapur Gram Panchayat.

Several villages and Lambadi Thandas are situated within the surrounding area.

The communities have identified habitations including Chintagattu Thanda, YM Thanda, Pulicharla Kunta Thanda, chintagattu thanda SB Pally, Siddapur , immulnarva birkhanpally, porandla, kollapadal and JP DARGAH among others, as being within the broader area of concern.

According to the information available to the local community, the area within approximately 5 kilometres includes around 20 villages, while the wider 10-kilometre area includes around 74 villages and Thandas, with a substantial agricultural landscape.(Effected on 6 Mandals )

These figures should be independently verified by the competent authorities through official maps and records.

However, the central point remains:

A decision concerning Siddapur can potentially affect many neighbouring communities.

Therefore, the assessment of this project should not be restricted to the immediate project boundary alone.

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3. CONCERN REGARDING AGRICULTURAL LAND

The Siddapur Gram Panchayat area contains substantial agricultural and patta lands.

The local community estimates approximately 3,000 acres of agricultural / patta land within Siddapur Gram Panchayat and approximately 30,000 acres of agricultural land within the broader 10-kilometre area.

These figures may kindly be verified through official revenue and land records.

Our concern is not only about the land proposed for the project.

The larger question is:

What will be the long-term effect of locating a major waste facility in an agricultural region?

The Government must carefully examine potential impacts on:

- Soil quality;
- Groundwater;
- Surface water;
- Agricultural productivity;
- Livestock;
- Crop cultivation;
- Property and land-use patterns;
- Rural employment;
- Quality of life;
- Future development of surrounding villages.

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4. WATER IS A FUNDAMENTAL CONCERN

For an agricultural community, water is life.

Any large-scale waste processing or Waste-to-Energy facility must have a clearly established and publicly disclosed water-management plan.

The affected communities therefore request complete information regarding:

- Total daily water requirement;
- Source of water;
- Groundwater or surface-water dependence;
- Process water requirements;
- Wastewater generation;
- Treatment and reuse;
- Effluent disposal;
- Emergency arrangements;
- Groundwater protection measures.

No community should be expected to accept a major industrial-scale waste facility without knowing how its water requirements may interact with existing agricultural and domestic water needs.

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5. AIR, SOIL AND GROUNDWATER PROTECTION

The people are particularly concerned about the possibility of environmental impacts associated with the transportation, storage, processing and treatment of large quantities of municipal solid waste.

We therefore request the competent environmental authorities to clearly disclose the proposed safeguards relating to:

Air

- Odour control;
- Dust suppression;
- Air emissions;
- Emission monitoring;
- Emergency releases;
- Continuous monitoring mechanisms, wherever applicable.

Water

- Leachate generation and management;
- Groundwater protection;
- Wastewater treatment;
- Storm-water management;
- Prevention of contamination.

Soil

- Prevention of soil contamination;
- Liner and containment systems, wherever required;
- Handling of contaminated materials;
- Long-term site monitoring.

Public health

- Vector control;
- Rodent and pest control;
- Odour management;
- Fire prevention;
- Emergency response.

The community requests that all applicable environmental standards and statutory requirements be strictly followed and that monitoring results be made publicly accessible.

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6. WASTE TRANSPORTATION IS ALSO A COMMUNITY ISSUE

A waste facility cannot be considered only as a structure on a particular parcel of land.

Large quantities of waste must be transported to and from the facility.

Therefore, the Government should disclose:

- Expected daily waste quantity;
- Source areas from which waste will arrive;
- Number and type of waste-transport vehicles;
- Proposed transportation routes;
- Traffic impact;
- Road safety measures;
- Timing of vehicle movement;
- Measures to prevent litter, leakage and odour during transportation;
- Emergency procedures in case of accidents or spills.

The surrounding villages should not be forced to bear an undisclosed transportation burden.

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7. THE QUESTION OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The affected communities respectfully submit that people who may be directly or indirectly affected by a major project should have access to complete information about it.

The people seek transparency regarding:

- The relevant Government Orders;
- Land details;
- Project capacity;
- Project design;
- Environmental permissions;
- Pollution-control permissions;
- Water requirements;
- Waste source and quantity;
- Transportation plan;
- Environmental safeguards;
- Monitoring mechanisms;
- Responsibility for future environmental liabilities.

**We do not ask for secrecy.

We ask for transparency.**

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8. THE CONTRADICTION THAT HAS CREATED PUBLIC DISTRUST

The local community has also expressed concern over statements made publicly regarding the proposed Siddapur dumping yard.

At various stages, assurances were reportedly given to the public that a dumping yard would not come to Siddapur.

Subsequently, the community became aware of G.O.Rt.No.641, which has intensified public concern and confusion.

This has created a basic question among residents:

If the project is not going to come to Siddapur, what is the present status and purpose of G.O.Rt.No.641?

We therefore request the Government to provide an unambiguous official clarification regarding:

1. Whether the proposed project is currently active;
2. Whether the land identified under the relevant proceedings remains earmarked;
3. What exactly G.O.Rt.No.641 authorises;
4. Whether any subsequent orders have modified, cancelled or superseded it;
5. What approvals remain pending;
6. Whether any construction or development activity is proposed.

The people deserve a clear answer based on official documents.

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9. SPECIAL CONCERN FOR LAMBADI THANDAS

The surrounding Lambadi Thandas are an integral part of this rural community.

Their lives are connected to land, agriculture, livestock, natural resources and local employment.

Any project with potentially significant environmental or social consequences must therefore consider its impact on these habitations.

We specifically request the authorities to assess the potential consequences for:

- Lambadi Thandas;
- Agricultural households;
- Livestock owners;
- Small farmers;
- Agricultural labourers;
- Women dependent on local natural resources;
- Children and future generations.

Development should protect vulnerable communities, not make them carry disproportionate environmental burdens.

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10. WE ARE NOT AGAINST DEVELOPMENT

We wish to make our position absolutely clear.

We are not against development.

We are not against scientific waste management.

We are not against responsible solutions to the waste generated by cities.

Our objection is to proceeding with a major waste facility in a manner that leaves affected communities uncertain about its environmental, social and economic consequences.

We believe that waste generated by expanding cities must be managed scientifically, responsibly and sustainably.

But rural communities must not be treated as places where urban environmental burdens can simply be transferred.

Urban development and rural rights must go together.

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11. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL PETITION

This petition is being submitted by citizens from different backgrounds.

We may belong to different political parties, organisations, communities or social groups.

But when it comes to:

Land — we are together.

Water — we are together.

Agriculture — we are together.

Environment — we are together.

Our children's future — we are together.

Therefore, this representation should not be viewed through a political lens.

This is a people's petition concerning their land, environment and future.

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12. OUR SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Through this mass petition, we respectfully request the Government of Telangana to:

1. CANCEL / WITHDRAW G.O.Rt.NO.641

insofar as it facilitates or relates to the proposed Siddapur waste facility, after examining the concerns of the affected communities.

2. WITHDRAW THE PROPOSED SIDDAPUR DUMPING YARD / WASTE FACILITY

and reconsider the location in view of the agricultural character and surrounding habitations.

3. PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LAND

and ensure that farmers and agricultural livelihoods are not adversely affected.

4. PROTECT GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE WATER

and undertake a comprehensive water-impact assessment before any further decision.

5. PROTECT SURROUNDING LAMBADI THANDAS

through a specific social and environmental impact assessment.

6. DISCLOSE ALL PROJECT DOCUMENTS

including land details, project capacity, technical proposal, water requirements, waste source, transportation plan and environmental safeguards.

7. CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT

covering Siddapur and the surrounding villages and Thandas that may potentially be affected.

8. ENSURE MEANINGFUL PUBLIC CONSULTATION

with affected residents, farmers, Gram Panchayats and other concerned communities, wherever required under applicable law.

9. PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATUS REPORT

clarifying the present status of G.O.Rt.No.641 and the proposed project.

10. DO NOT PROCEED WITH IRREVERSIBLE PROJECT ACTIVITIES

until all applicable statutory, environmental, land-use and public consultation requirements have been completed.

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13. OUR FINAL APPEAL

A Government order can be issued on paper in a matter of days.

But the consequences of an environmental decision can remain for decades.

A file can be moved from one office to another.

But a farmer cannot move his entire life from one place to another.

A project can eventually be modified.

But contaminated water, damaged soil or lost agricultural livelihoods cannot always be restored easily.

That is why we respectfully request the Hon’ble Government to listen to the people before taking any irreversible step.

Please do not see our signatures as numbers.

Behind every signature is:

A farmer.
A family.
A livelihood.
A piece of land.
A home.
A child.
A future.

We therefore humbly request the Government of Telangana to cancel / withdraw G.O.Rt.No.641 in relation to the proposed Siddapur facility and protect Siddapur and its surrounding communities from the proposed waste project.

OUR LAND. OUR WATER. OUR FUTURE.

JAL • JAMEEN • JEEVAN

SAVE SIDDAPUR