Petitions and legal challenges mount, with over 1.42 lakh signatures.  Destroying this forest for another IT hub is not development, say activists

metro india news  I hyderabad

For the last three days, the landscape at Kancha Gachibowli has been in the news for large-scale felling of trees and the otherwise serene environment buzzing with dozens of JCBs. With the High Court directive to stay all work on the site, there is a temporary halt to the chopping down of trees.

The Telangana High Court's PIL bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara gave the directions on Wednesday. The stay is till the hearing, which will continue on Thursday, is completed.

Petitioner K Babu Rao, a retired scientist, challenged the government's decision, citing violations of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and failure to constitute an Expert Committee under the Forest Conservation Rules, 2023. He also referenced a Supreme Court directive in a related case. The petition seeks to declare the land a National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Another petition on this issue was filed earlier by Vata Foundation, an NGO working for environment conservation. Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) has asked the Telangana government to take swift action following reports of illegal deforestation in Kancha Gachibowli, Ranga Reddy District.

Assistant Inspector General of Forests, MoEF & CC S Sundar has written a letter to Additional Chief Secretary (Forests), Government of Telangana in this regard on Wednesday.  Sundar said, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change is also in receipt of various representations from Members of Parliament and other public representatives in person on the matter. He added, that adding there have also been various news reports in print and in social media in this regard alleging damage the wildlife found in the said land, its lakes and to the unique rock formations found in the area.

The MoEF&CC has directed the Telangana authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the matter, initiate legal proceedings under applicable environmental laws, and ensure strict compliance with judicial directives to prevent further violations. 

A copy was also marked to Telangana Forest department, MoEF & CC regional office in Chennai about the same. The destruction of vegetation threatens local wildlife, water bodies, and unique rock formations, prompting widespread public and media outcry.

In response, the MoEF&CC has directed the Telangana authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the matter, initiate legal proceedings under applicable environmental laws, and ensure strict compliance with judicial directives to prevent further violations. The Ministry has emphasized its commitment to protecting India’s natural resources and has mandated the submission of an action-taken report to ensure accountability and enforcement.

Civil society representatives, intellectuals, professors, environmental experts, and social activists demanded an immediate halt to the destruction.

Prof. Haragopal, former HCU Dean stated, “The government is claiming legal ownership, but the real issue is the destruction of a rich environmental resource. The University was allocated 2350 acres, and the existing boundary wall proves its long-standing moral ownership.” Prof. Narasimha Reddy added that despite their representations, the government refused to stop the bulldozing, showing blatant disregard for environmental concerns.

Kirankumar Vissa from National Alliance of People's Movements detailed legal violations: “The government failed to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the Environmental Protection Act. The Wildlife Protection Act was ignored despite the presence of Schedule-1 species. The Forest Conservation Act, reinforced by a Supreme Court ruling, mandates protection of land fitting the definition of a forest.”

Shivani of Save City Forests said, “Our online petition has over 1,42,000 signatures. Destroying this forest for another IT hub is not development.” Environmental expert Arun Vasireddy stated, “Kancha Gachibowli is more biodiverse than KBR National Park, housing 233 bird species, 72 tree species, and many animals, including Telangana’s state animal, the spotted deer. Its destruction will harm Hyderabad’s water system, air quality, and temperature.”

John Michael of NAPM Urban Struggles Forum  criticized the government’s environmental policies and police action: “The police must withdraw from campus, and cases against students must be dropped. The government repeatedly ignores environmental concerns, as seen in the Pharma City and Damagundam projects.”

Their key demands include-immediate withdrawal of bulldozer action in Kancha Gachibowli, lifting of cases against agitating students and withdrawal of police from the university campus, complete protection of the Kancha Gachibowli biodiversity hotspot and handing over of legal rights to the University and no auction of Kancha Gachibowli land.