The Telangana High Court has ordered a temporary halt to tree felling at the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activists and students from Hyderabad Central University (HCU). The petitioners have called for the land to be designated as a national park, citing the presence of diverse wildlife and ecological importance. Advocate L Ravishankar, representing the students, argued that the Telangana government had allocated the land to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) under GO 54 last year without conducting the required environmental assessments. The court directed the authorities to cease all activity until the next hearing on April 3, further instructing the state government and TGIIC to submit a counter within 10 days.
The issue has sparked widespread protests, particularly after the Telangana government’s recent decision to auction the Kancha Gachibowli land for commercial purposes. Environmentalists, student groups, and civil society members have opposed the move, citing concerns over deforestation, habitat destruction, and the long-term impact on Hyderabad’s green cover. Tensions escalated on April 2 when a peaceful teachers’ march turned confrontational near the University of Hyderabad campus, resulting in clashes between protesters and police. Videos circulating online show police personnel using force, including lathi charges, to disperse demonstrators. Protesters argue that the government is prioritizing urban expansion over environmental sustainability, disregarding the ecological significance of the land.
Adding to the unrest, visuals of JCB machines entering the HCU area have intensified fears of large-scale tree removal. While the Telangana government maintains that the land is not classified as a forest and was previously allotted to IMG Academy in 2004, activists insist that the region is home to unique rock formations, rare plant species, and key water bodies that sustain local wildlife. With the court’s decision to temporarily halt all activities, environmentalists see a ray of hope, but they remain vigilant as the legal battle continues. The next hearing, scheduled for April 3, is expected to bring more clarity on the fate of the Kancha Gachibowli land.
