"Putting You On Guard": Court Raps Telangana Over Hyderabad Deforestation Row

The Supreme Court advised the government of Telangana to take steps to restore the forest area in Hyderabad's Kancha Gachibowli, which has seen protests by students and environmental activists over alleged unauthorised tree-felling.

"We are putting you on guard," the top court told the Telangana government, while observing that rushed bulldozing activities during a long weekend over around 100 acres of the Kancha Gachibowli forest last month seemed "pre-planned". "You (officers involved in bulldozing) have taken advantage of a long weekend. Haven't you seen the photos? Bulldozers were deployed, the activity was pre-planned," the Bench said.

Abhishek Singhvi, arguing for the Telangana government, said he should be given an opportunity to convince the court that IT Park and ecology can go together, while insisting that no activity is happening as of now on the Kancha Gachibowli lands.

The Bench said it is an advocate of sustainable development and directed authorities to restore the forest or send half a dozen officers to temporary prison. It was further observed by counsel K. Parmeshwar said forest department ground reports suggest that 60 per cent of the forest that was cut was moderately or heavily dense forest. He further suggested that forest restoration is a time-sensitive exercise and should be carried out keeping the monsoon season in mind. The next hearing will be held on July 23.

The court refused to hear a petition seeking quashing of FIRs against students who were whistleblowers in the case, asking them to approach appropriate courts in the matter.

A month ago, a Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih had issued a warning to the state government, saying it "can't have high-rises in the company of deer." It said deforestation of the area adjacent to the Hyderabad Central University campus had taken place "without permission of authorities". They also criticised the loss of habitats of animals, pointing to videos showing "herbivorous animals running to seek shelter... bitten by stray dogs".

"If you want to save your Chief Secretary... tell us how you will restore those 100 acres. Come up with a plan... otherwise we don't know how many of your officers will go to temporary (jail)," Justice Gavai had said.

The controversy over the Kancha Gachobowli land stems from the Congress' plans to redevelop around 400 acres adjacent to the university. This led to protests from students and activists, who have argued the use of bulldozers violates Supreme Court orders and endangers wildlife in the area.

Citing that the land is home to many species of animals and birds, the Vata Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, had sought deemed forest status and demanded it be declared a 'national park' under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Environmentalists say the land in question is a biodiverse habitat, rich in native flora and fauna. It is home to 233 species of birds and houses the Murricia Hyderabadensis, a rare spider species unique to this forest patch. Also listed are three reptile and 27 bird species under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - denoting their endangered status.

Further, the area includes 72 tree species and ancient mushroom rock formations estimated to be over two billion years old.

The Telangana government has clarified it has not taken land belonging to the university, and criticised the opposition BRS and BJP for spreading lies about the land for political gains.

The Congress-led government first introduced land monetisation through auctions under YS Rajashekhara Reddy and has since become standard policy in Telangana. Facing a staggering debt estimated to cross Rs 5 lakh crore by the end of FY 2025-26, the newly elected Congress government under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is looking to raise funds through land auctions to support welfare schemes. The Chief Minister has acknowledged the lack of funds for capital expenditure, underlining the financial pressures driving the auction of Kancha Gachibowli.