Tree felling continues unchecked at KBR Park

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Even as concerns mount over the ongoing works under the HCITI project, tree felling and on ground activity continue unabated around KBR National Park. Concerned citizens moved directly to the site at the Agrasen junction, entering the pit area and raised slogans on Thursday. It may be noted that hundreds gathered on Sunday at the main gate as well calling for an immediate halt to all tree cutting until the matter pending before the High Court is resolved. Protestors asserted that the continued felling amounts to contempt of court, pointing to an existing stay order that, according to them, has not yet been vacated.  

It was observed that tree felling at the Cancer hospital Junction continued on the ground. Disturbed by this, a group of citizens made an impromptu decision to escalate their protest. They moved directly to the site of excavation at the Agrasen junction, entering the pit area and raising slogans, drawing attention from passing commuters and onlookers.  

“The trees, once lost, are gone forever. If the court later rules in our favour, who will undo this irreversible damage?” asked an anguished Aditya V. “At the very least, the work must pause until due process is complete.”  Dr. Srinivas Reddy, visibly distressed, said, “It is deeply painful to watch this happening before our eyes.

In this scorching heat, shouldn’t sustainability take precedence over unchecked, concrete-heavy development?”   Vijay Mallangi, representative of “Save KBR” campaign pointed out the seeming contradiction in environmental commitments: “It is ironic that while the leadership speaks strongly about preserving biodiversity in places like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, similar values are not being upheld here. It raises uncomfortable questions.”  

Highlighting the human cost,  Shobha Rani shared, “The shaded areas under these trees are often the only refuge for families of cancer patients visiting nearby hospitals. The hospital infrastructure is already stretched. If these trees go, where will these people find shelter?”  

16-year-old Meera Bachu, who travelled across the city changing multiple buses to join the protest, said simply, “My Freedom to travel is curtailed due to increasing traffic. My Parents do not let me go by Public Bus even to college because due to heavy traffic crossing the road is so dangerous.

Upgraded and Quality Public transport with last mile connectivity is the only solution – do the elders not know this?”  The citizens reiterated their demand for immediate suspension of all tree felling and construction activities until legal clarity is established. They emphasized that development must not come at the cost of irreversible ecological loss and urged authorities to act responsibly.