In a recent decision, the court turned down a request by 70-year-old S Prakash Rao, who wanted a road through the Nagaram Reserve Forest to reach his home. Judge T. Madhavi Devi decided against the request because it would harm the forest.
S Prakash Rao has a piece of land in Nagaram Village, but there's no direct road to get there. He asked for a road through the forest and offered to give other land in return. Rao said a company, M/s Icomm, was allowed to have a similar road.
"The petitioner followed all the steps and offered other land," said Rao's lawyer.
The Forest Department did not agree with the request, saying the road would split up the forest and make it harder to manage. They also mentioned that there is already another way to get there.
"The proposed road would break up the Nagaram Reserve Forest," argued the government lawyer.
Judge T. Madhavi Devi didn't find Rao's request convincing and pointed out that there is another way for him to reach his land. The court also mentioned that Rao hadn't completed the land exchange deal.
"Allowing the road would break up the forest," the court concluded.
The court rejected the request, meaning S Prakash Rao will have to look for other ways to access his land. This decision shows the ongoing struggle between building needs and protecting the environment.
