They stressed that while the legal ownership of the land remains contested, the more urgent issue is the irreversible environmental damage caused by deforestation in a biodiversity-rich zone.
Published Apr 03, 2025 | 12:10 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 03, 2025 | 12:10 AM
Synopsis: Civil society members have condemned the Telangana government’s continued bulldozing of Kancha Gachibowli, warning that the environmental damage is permanent, even if land ownership is still disputed. Speaking out against the destruction of a biodiversity hotspot home to endangered species, they called for an immediate halt to deforestation and cancellation of development plans.
Prominent intellectuals, professors and civil society representatives have strongly criticised the ongoing destruction of the Kancha Gachibowli urban forest – an ecologically significant area long associated with the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) campus.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, 2 April, they condemned the government for pressing ahead with bulldozing operations despite repeated appeals from environmental groups and university representatives. The speakers – Prof G Haragopal, Prof D Narasimha Reddy, Kirankumar Vissa, Arun Vasireddy, Shivani from Save City Forests, and John Michael from the NAPM Urban Struggles Forum – expressed deep concern over the scale of ecological damage and the possibility of legal violations.
They stressed that while the legal ownership of the land remains contested, the more urgent issue is the irreversible environmental damage caused by deforestation in a biodiversity-rich zone.
The civil society delegation, which met Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and other ministers, had called for an immediate halt to the bulldozing. But with the clearing operations continuing, the speakers accused the government of ignoring environmental laws, including the Environmental Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act, WALTA Act, and relevant Supreme Court rulings on forest conservation.
They noted that Kancha Gachibowli is home to 233 bird species, 72 species of trees, and several endangered species – including the spotted deer – and plays a vital role in sustaining Hyderabad’s water systems and air quality.
Public opposition to the deforestation is growing, with an online petition launched by the Save City Forests group receiving more than 1.42 lakh signatures, including 71,340 on Wednesday alone.
Environmentalists and local residents have voiced anger at the state government’s proposal to develop the forest into an IT hub, warning of grave ecological and climatic consequences.
The speakers demanded an immediate stop to the bulldozing, withdrawal of police cases against student protestors, full legal protection for Kancha Gachibowli as a biodiversity hotspot, and cancellation of any proposed land auction.
Citizens’ groups, faculty and students have pledged to continue their campaign through legal channels and national-level advocacy in an effort to protect one of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests.
On 2 April, the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union met the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to seek intervention in the Kancha Gachibowli auction issue.
Detailing the destruction underway in the area, the students described it as a crucial ecological space within the city. Alleging that the university had been “turned into a warzone”, they submitted a list of demands.
“The University was established by an Act of Parliament and a Constitutional Amendment. The State Government officially assigned the land under its seal and stamp. Regardless of the lack of mutation in revenue records, the land rightfully belongs to the University, and the State Government cannot claim continued ownership.
“In a number of landmark judgments the Supreme Court of India has consistently held that entries in revenue records, such as mutations, do not confer or extinguish ownership rights over property,” said the Union in its letter.
They demanded “an order for an immediate cessation of the JCBs that are tearing our land and its creatures apart.” Their demands included: “Cancel the Auction, Declare It a National Park and Green Zone, Secure University of Hyderabad’s Birthright. Register all 2,300 acres in UoH’s name to shield it from future encroachment and destruction.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
