In a strong step to protect the environment, the Telangana High Court on Wednesday ordered the state government to immediately stop clearing 400 acres of green land near the University of Hyderabad. The court responded to petitions that stressed the area’s ecological importance and warned of possible environmental damage from development. Meanwhile, police broke up fresh protests by students and teachers opposing the government’s plan to auction the Kancha Gachibowli land for IT park construction. The court will review the case again on Thursday.
Kancha Gachibowli: Biodiversity vs. Development
The 400-acre land in Kancha Gachibowli, next to the University of Hyderabad, has become a hot topic because of its rich biodiversity. The area is home to animals like spotted deer, wild boars, star tortoises, and Indian rock pythons. It also includes two lakes and rare rock formations. Even though the government hasn’t officially declared it a forest, environmentalists say the land should be protected as one.
In March 2025, the Telangana government set up a committee to identify forest land and update land records. Environmentalists hope this committee will survey the area properly and declare it a forest, which they say would help the state’s environment and economy.
Students and professors at the University of Hyderabad also raised strong concerns. They believe this land is not only important for nature but also holds emotional and cultural value for the university community.
Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court stopped all tree cutting in the area. Petitioners argued that the land is a dense forest and that clearing it for IT development breaks environmental laws. These events show a growing struggle between urban development and the need to protect nature, urging better planning that respects the environment.
Legal Challenges and High Court Intervention
The issue grew more serious when the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) started developing the land to auction it for IT projects. In response, environmental groups and concerned citizens filed public interest litigations (PILs). They argued that the land’s ecological importance deserved protection and that the development violated the Forest Conservation Act and Supreme Court guidelines.
On April 2, 2025, Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara reviewed the petitions. The court ordered the state government to stop all activities, including cutting trees and clearing land, and stressed the need to study the environmental impact first.
Supreme Court’s Suo Motu Cognizance
The Supreme Court stepped in on Thursday and ordered a stop to all activity on the 400 acres near the University of Hyderabad in Kancha Gachibowli. The court took up the case on its own and asked the state government to explain the “compelling urgency” behind clearing the land.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih said, “Until further orders, the state must not carry out any activity, except protecting the existing trees.”
Calling the tree-cutting drive a “very serious” issue, the court said the Telangana High Court’s interim report showed an “alarming” situation. The report revealed that many trees were cut over the weekend.
The court also directed the chief secretary to visit a temporary jail built near the lake and warned that if any violations were found later, it would take strict action.
Finally, the court asked the chief secretary to confirm whether the state had obtained an environmental impact assessment certificate. The next hearing is scheduled for April 16.
Environmental and Academic Community’s Response
Students and faculty at the University of Hyderabad have strongly opposed the government’s development plans. They believe the green area acts as an important ecological buffer and say its destruction will cause serious environmental harm. Protests have continued, and on April 1, 2025, the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union began an indefinite protest and class boycott to demand the area’s protection.
Meanwhile, environmental activists point out that the land is home to many species and helps maintain ecological balance. They argue that the wildlife and unique rock formations make it worth conserving, no matter how the land is officially labeled.
Government’s Stance and Legal History
The Telangana government says the 400-acre land in Kancha Gachibowli belongs to the state and was never marked as forest land. In 2003, it gave the land to IMG Bharata Academies to build sports facilities. However, after the project failed and legal issues came up, the land returned to state control. Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy said the petitioners don’t have solid proof and mainly used satellite images, which the Supreme Court doesn’t accept as the only evidence. Moreover, the government said the land doesn’t touch University of Hyderabad property or harm any water bodies or rock formations.
Central Government’s Involvement
The Union Environment Ministry asked the Telangana government to submit a detailed report on the illegal clearing of vegetation on 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli near the University of Hyderabad. It also told the state to take legal action under forest and wildlife laws, showing how serious the issue is. Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court stopped all digging and tree-cutting on the land until April 3, 2025, after several petitions raised concerns about the destruction of green space.
At the same time, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged the state to stop the land auction. He stressed the need to protect the area, calling it vital for Hyderabad’s growth as an international education hub, with the University of Hyderabad playing a key role.
These steps show rising concern over the environmental damage caused by the clearing. Many worry it will harm the area’s wildlife, green cover, and natural balance. As the debate grows, pressure builds to protect this valuable ecological zone.
Hyderabad Rises to Save Its Trees
The High Court gave a big win to many people in Hyderabad who were trying to stop deforestation. They had started peaceful protests, online campaigns, and signature drives. As a result, hashtags like #SaveKanchaGachibowli, #HyderabadGreenCover, and #StopTreeFelling started trending on social media. Students, activists, and even celebrities joined in to support the cause. Moreover, over 30,000 citizens signed an online petition asking the government and courts to take quick action.
Legal Implications and Future Outlook
The recent legal steps show a growing clash between development plans and environmental protection. The Supreme Court stopped all activity, including tree cutting, in the Kancha Gachibowli area near the University of Hyderabad. It asked the Telangana Chief Secretary to explain the urgency behind the deforestation and confirm if the state got the required environmental clearances. The Court also warned that if the state fails to follow the rules, the Chief Secretary could face jail time.
At the same time, the Telangana High Court ordered a stop to all land clearing until further hearings. This came after many petitions raised concerns about the loss of green cover, which supports wildlife and helps keep nature balanced.
These actions from the courts show a strong effort to protect the environment. They also stress that all development must follow proper environmental checks before moving forward, especially in sensitive areas.
Bottom Line
Stopping development on the 400-acre green space near the University of Hyderabad marks a big win for environmentalists and students. This case shows the need to balance growth with nature protection. As the case continues, the focus stays on following environmental laws and involving communities in future development decisions to ensure sustainable planning.
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