Hyderabad is facing a critical moment in its journey towards sustainable urban living as Kancha Gachibowli, one of its last significant urban forests, confronts the threat of industrial encroachment.
The Telangana government’s recent move to allocate 400 acres of this forest land for industrial development has sparked widespread concern among environmentalists, students, and citizens alike, drawing the attention of the Supreme Court. This episode highlights the urgent need for protecting and stabilising urban forests to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the city’s residents.
Urban forests like Kancha Gachibowli are vital ecological assets that perform multiple functions essential to a healthy urban environment. They act as natural air filters, absorbing carbon dioxide and trapping harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, which is a growing concern in Indian cities. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board in late 2024 revealed dangerously high pollution levels, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index reaching a hazardous 494, and Hyderabad also reporting poor air quality. Trees in urban forests mitigate these effects, reduce urban heat islands, and manage stormwater runoff, thereby helping cities adapt to climate change and extreme weather events.
Beyond their environmental role, urban forests offer important social and cultural value. They provide green spaces for recreation and relaxation, offering respite from the city’s relentless pace. Such areas support mental wellbeing and community interaction, enriching urban life in ways concrete infrastructure cannot replicate. The threat to Kancha Gachibowli, therefore, is not only an ecological concern but a challenge to the quality of life for Hyderabad’s population.
Judicial interventions have played a crucial role in protecting urban forests across India. Landmark rulings, including the Godavarman case and several Supreme Court orders, have broadened the definition of forests to include urban green spaces and mandated states to protect them. Courts have acted decisively in cases like Mumbai’s Aarey forest and Delhi’s Ridge to halt indiscriminate tree felling. The Supreme Court’s recent directive to the Telangana government to restore the Kancha Gachibowli forested area reinforces this judicial commitment to environmental stewardship.
In tandem with legal actions, policy initiatives such as the Nagar Van Yojana, launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aim to expand urban forests across India, targeting the development of 1,000 new urban forests by 2027. These efforts are essential for building resilient, zero net carbon cities where nature and urban life coexist harmoniously.The ongoing challenge lies in balancing Hyderabad’s industrial and economic growth ambitions with the imperative to preserve its natural heritage. The Kancha Gachibowli controversy is a stark reminder that sustainable urbanisation requires more than infrastructure and technology—it demands a commitment to ecological conservation and equitable access to green spaces.
As Hyderabad expands, the city’s future health and livability depend on securing stable urban forests. Protecting these green lungs is vital to curbing pollution, mitigating climate risks, and nurturing a city environment that supports the physical and emotional wellbeing of its people. The responsibility rests with policymakers, judicial authorities, and citizens alike to ensure that Hyderabad’s growth does not come at the cost of its urban forests but rather flourishes alongside them.
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