The Telangana High Court has issued an interim order halting all excavation and tree-felling activities on 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, following mounting protests by environmental activists and students. The directive comes after multiple petitions challenged the Telangana government’s move to clear the land, which borders the University of Hyderabad and is considered an ecologically significant green zone.
Amid growing public outrage, the Union environment ministry has stepped in, demanding a factual report from the state on what it calls the “illegal clearing of vegetation.” The court’s intervention is being seen as a crucial step in preventing irreversible damage to the area’s biodiversity, which includes rare flora and fauna such as spotted deer, wild boars, and Indian rock pythons. The controversy erupted after the state invoked Government Order (GO) 54, transferring the land to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) for IT infrastructure development. However, petitioners, including environmental group Vata Foundation ENPO and retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao, argue that the land qualifies as a protected ecological zone despite government classifications. They point to its lakes, unique rock formations, and rich biodiversity, asserting that the clearance violates Supreme Court rulings that prioritise ecological characteristics over official land classifications. Activists fear that the destruction of this green cover will not only endanger wildlife but also contribute to Hyderabad’s escalating urban heat island effect, worsening climate vulnerabilities.
Defending its stance, the state government has maintained that the land is not officially designated as forest land and has been earmarked for industrial expansion. However, its argument has faced backlash from environmentalists and academics who accuse the administration of prioritising commercial interests over ecological sustainability. The court’s decision to put a temporary halt to the clearing process has provided relief to activists, but concerns persist about the long-term fate of the land. The Union environment ministry’s intervention signals heightened scrutiny, particularly as the state’s development policies come under national review. It has urged the additional chief secretary (forests) to ensure compliance with environmental laws and take legal action if violations are found.
Public resistance has intensified, with university students and faculty staging sit-ins, boycotting classes, and organising large-scale protests to pressure the government into reversing its decision. Police stopped a protest rally earlier in the day, further fuelling tensions between authorities and demonstrators. The issue has also sparked broader debates on urban development policies, with experts warning that unchecked land conversions in Hyderabad could set a dangerous precedent for other ecologically sensitive areas. With the High Court set to hear the case further, the spotlight remains on the Telangana government’s actions and whether they align with environmental sustainability and public interest. As Hyderabad grapples with rapid urbanisation, the outcome of this legal battle could redefine the balance between development and ecological conservation in one of India’s fastest-growing cities.
