The directive follows a series of hearings that began in early April 2025, when the court took suo motu cognisance of large-scale tree felling across approximately 400 acres of forest land.
Published Aug 13, 2025 | 3:15 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 13, 2025 | 3:15 PM
Supreme Court relists Kancha Gachibowli for August 13
Synopsis: The Supreme Court directed the Telangana government to present a comprehensive restoration plan for the Kancha Gachibowli land. The apex court bench underscored that development and environmental protection must go hand in hand.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 13 August, directed the Telangana government to present a comprehensive restoration plan for the Kancha Gachibowli land adjacent to the University of Hyderabad. Directing a timeline, the apex court listed the matter for further hearing in six weeks.
This comes in the ongoing hearing regarding the proposed development of 400 acres of forest land in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli.
The directive follows a series of hearings that began in early April, when the court took suo motu cognisance of large-scale tree felling across approximately 400 acres of forest land in Survey No. 25 of Kancha Gachibowli near the University of Hyderabad.
Acting swiftly, the bench ordered a status quo to halt further destruction and tasked the Central Empowered Committee with inspecting the site. By mid-May, the court had issued stern warnings to the state, making it clear that unless the Chief Secretary and other senior officials ensured afforestation and restoration, they could face imprisonment.
During the last hearing on 23 July, Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi, sharply criticised the overnight deployment of 30 bulldozers to clear forest land under the pretext of sustainable development.
The CJI remarked that while he personally supports the idea of sustainable development, it could not justify such large-scale destruction carried out without due consideration.
The bench underscored that development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. The matter was adjourned to 13 August to allow time for responses and proposals. At the latest hearing, Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Telangana government, assured the bench that all tree-felling activities had ceased in compliance with earlier orders.
He said the state was preparing a balanced and holistic proposal that would protect forests, lakes and wildlife while accommodating urban growth. The court accepted the request for a six- to eight-week timeframe to finalise the plan, and indicated that a well-crafted restoration strategy could prompt the withdrawal of previous adverse remarks.
However, it remains to be seen if the state’s restoration plan will satisfy the court’s push for sustainable development, as against the state’s initial intent to develop the land parcel for mixed-use.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
