The Supreme Court has stepped in to stop the rapid deforestation of Kancha Gachibowli in Hyderabad, directing Telangana authorities to immediately cease all tree felling in the area. The move comes after alarming reports suggested that trees were being cut down hastily over the long weekend.
A bench led by Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih has instructed the Telangana High Court Registrar (Judicial) to visit the site and submit an interim status report by 3:30 PM today. Additionally, the court has ordered the state’s Chief Secretary to ensure that no trees are felled until further notice.
The controversy centers around a 400-acre land parcel that Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. (TGIIC) plans to auction for IT infrastructure development. However, the move has sparked strong opposition, with environmentalists and students from the University of Hyderabad arguing that the land is an eco-sensitive zone crucial for the city’s environment. Reports indicate that protests have intensified, with students clashing with police, leading to the arrest of two former students.
The Supreme Court’s intervention does not put a hold on ongoing High Court proceedings related to the issue, but it signals heightened scrutiny over the fate of Kancha Gachibowli’s green cover.
