Mohini Cheruvu in the eye of a storm

Osmania University: The ABVP leaders formed a human chain in protest against the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) staff deployed for the beautification of Mohini Cheruvu here on Wednesday. They alleged that in the name of beautification, GHMC deployed its staff at the site and the next move would be to take complete control of the site.

Highlights:

•    GHMC staff deployed at Mohini Cheruvu had to return after protest by ABVP students

•    It is alleged that the government was eyeing the land

•    Students do not want outsiders to enter the campus

•    OU plans to establish a bio-diversity park in 200 acres between Institute of public Enterprise to Mohini Cheruvu

•    OU is pitching for RUSA grant and is hopeful of establishing the Biodiversity Park by 2021
 

The students criticized the university authorities to have colluded with senior politicians who have been eyeing the university lands. Raju, a leader of ABVP said, “In the recent past, Minister Padma Rao had requested the OU vice chancellor for land inside OU for the construction of double bedroom houses. Students say that the Mohini Cheruvu and its surroundings nurture a eco-friendly green environment.”

Another student leader Mahesh says, “Even if the intention of the GHMC is to beautify the area, it would lead to a number of outsiders entering the campus which would lead to several problems.” When contacted, Dr Clemala Srinivasulu, assistant professor, Department of Zoology said, “The establishment of bio-diversity park will happen and there is a plan for large scale greening of the campus and the Mohini Cheruvu would be protected.”

There were heated arguments between the ABVP leaders and GHMC staff. Only when OU Registrar Prof Ch Gopal Reddy reached the Cheruvu did matters cool down as he convinced the GHMC staff to move away.The registrar assured the agitators that OU will take responsibility to protect the Mohini cheruvu.

It may be noted that during the recent OU centenary celebrations, the OU administration had decided to establish a bio-diversity park in 200 acres between the Institute of public Enterprise to Mohini Cheruvu.

Blaming GHMC’s conspiracy to encroach Mohini Cheruvu, leaders of ABVP Raju, Pagidipalli Srihari Suman, Tirumalesh, Ramakrishna, Srisailam along with students allege that once the civic body is entrusted with the beautification of the Cheruvu it would lead to several problems and even encroachment.

By A Hareesh