Andhra Pradesh High Court advances hearing on Kambalakonda sanctuary PIL, says activist
Jal Biradari Convener and environmental activist Bolisetty Satyanarayana has said that the Andhra Pradesh High Court has agreed to advance the hearing of a public
Jal Biradari Convener and environmental activist Bolisetty Satyanarayana has said that the Andhra Pradesh High Court has agreed to advance the hearing of a public interest litigation (W.P. (PIL) No. 137 of 2026) relating to the protection of the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mudasarlova drinking water reservoir and the surrounding natural streams in Visakhapatnam. Addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, Mr. Satyanarayana said the case, originally scheduled to be heard on September 2, had been advanced to August 24.
He said the plea for an early hearing was made on the ground that alleged land levelling, tree felling and construction activity on the Simhachalam hill slopes could cause irreversible environmental damage if the matter was not taken up earlier. According to Mr. Satyanarayana, the Chief Justice directed the State authorities, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), M/s Vizag Hyperscale Data Center Park Limited and other respondents to file their counter-affidavits before the next hearing.
Satyanarayana said the PIL sought judicial scrutiny of the statutory environmental and wildlife clearances granted for the proposed data centre projects near the sanctuary, while highlighting the need to
protect biodiversity, natural water streams and drinking water sources. He said the litigation was aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental laws and was not directed against any individual or organisation.
The BriefWire