Recent developments in Telangana have spotlighted concerns over deforestation, particularly in the Kancha Gachibowli area near the University of Hyderabad. The state government's initiative to clear 400 acres for IT park development faced significant opposition from environmentalists, students, and faculty.
On April 3, 2025, the Supreme Court intervened, halting all tree-felling and excavation activities in the region. The bench expressed alarm over the extensive deforestation, questioning the urgency behind the state's actions and highlighting the potential environmental impact. The court also held the Telangana Chief Secretary personally accountable for the environmental damage.
Prior to this, the Telangana High Court had issued an interim order on April 2, 2025, pausing the land-clearing activities. Petitions argued that the area is a dense forest and should be preserved as a protected ecological habitat, emphasizing its importance as a green lung for the Financial District.
Satellite imagery from late March to early April 2025 revealed rapid deforestation in Kancha Gachibowli, suggesting that authorities expedited land clearing during the holiday weekend to minimize public scrutiny.
These events have sparked widespread protests, with students and faculty from the University of Hyderabad advocating for the preservation of the land. Opposition parties have also criticized the government's plans, proposing alternative solutions such as converting the land into an eco-park to protect its biodiversity.
The controversy underscores the tension between development projects and environmental conservation in Telangana, highlighting the need for careful consideration of ecological impacts in urban planning.
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