India, Sept. 7 -- Remove encroachment from Bandham Kunta buffer zone: NGT

Directions were issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), southern bench, September 3, 2026 to ensure that the prescribed buffer zone of the Bandham Kunta, a summer storage tank in Dornakal, Mahabubabad district, Telangana is restored and protected in accordance with law.

The bench of Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana noted that all the reports filed clearly show that the natural stream carrying surplus water from the upper lake was obstructed by the construction of a compound wall, resulting in diversion of the natural flow of water and submergence of the adjoining agricultural fields.

The reports also establish that Bandham Kunta is a notified tank under the Irr...