Forest guardian attacked, legacy of Dusharla recalled

HEMA SINGULURI | Hyderabad 

Environmental activist and water conservationist Dusharla Satyanarayana, 72, is undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Hyderabad after he was reportedly attacked while trying to stop tree cutting on his forest land in Raghavapuram, Suryapet district. The incident has once again brought focus to his remarkable contribution to environmental conservation and public welfare.

Satyanarayana, who inherited nearly 70 acres of ancestral land, is widely known for turning it into a dense ecological zone instead of commercializing it. Over the decades, he reportedly planted around five crore trees, dug 13 ponds and small lakes, and developed a rainwater harvesting system that supports diverse flora and fauna. The forest is said to shelter more than 32 bird species and several animals, making it a rare self-sustaining ecosystem.

Environmentalists have also recalled his role in water rights struggles in Nalgonda district. Senior environmentalist K. Purushottam Reddy said Satyanarayana played a crucial role as convenor of the Jala Sadhana Samithi, which fought against severe fluorosis caused by contaminated groundwater.

“Dusharla played a very important role, working for water and believing in peaceful methods,” Purushottam Reddy said, describing him as a committed nature lover and activist.

He also highlighted that the movement pushed for long-term drinking water solutions, including the Srisailam Left Bank Canal project, to address the region’s crisis.

Despite receiving high-value offers for his land, Satyanarayana reportedly refused to exploit it for profit, choosing instead to preserve it for wildlife and future generations.

The reported assault has sparked concern among environmental groups, who say it underlines the risks faced by those protecting nature.