The Telangana High Court is scheduled to hear two public interest litigations (PILs) on Wednesday concerning the ongoing clearing of approximately 400 acres of forest land in Gachibowli, a prime location near the University of Hyderabad. The petitioners have raised serious concerns over the rapid deforestation taking place, allegedly using heavy machinery like excavators, which they argue is not only illegal but also environmentally devastating.
The dispute centers around a plot of land designated under survey number 25, which is classified as a ‘deemed forest,’ a status that confers legal protection. The petitioners, including retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao and environmental advocacy group Vata Foundation, argue that the ongoing land clearing is in violation of laws that mandate the protection of such forests. Babu Rao, who filed a fresh PIL on the matter, has called for the site to be declared a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act, highlighting the area’s role as a habitat for rare plant, bird, and animal species.
According to the PILs, the Telangana government, through a Government Order issued in June 2024, allocated the contested land to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for IT infrastructure development. The government’s plan includes selling the land to tech companies at the high rate of ₹75 crore per acre. However, the petitioners contend that this move flouts a Supreme Court ruling that mandates the protection of deemed forests, particularly those located in ecologically sensitive areas.
Adding to the urgency of the matter, the petitioners have pointed to reports of extensive destruction, with as many as 30 to 40 JCBs reportedly deployed since March 30 to clear the forest. The ongoing deforestation has already raised alarms over the loss of wildlife, as carcasses of dead animals have been discovered in the cleared areas. In addition to environmental concerns, the petitioners claim that activists and students attempting to intervene in the process were forcibly detained by the police, preventing them from halting the destruction.
The petitioners have submitted photographic evidence of the damage to the court, further underscoring the alarming pace of land clearance. They also highlighted the forced detention of individuals trying to raise awareness about the environmental impact of the project. As the case comes before the Telangana High Court, the petitioners are hoping for swift action to stop further destruction and to preserve what they view as an invaluable natural resource. The court’s decision could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly in rapidly urbanising areas where the balance between development and environmental preservation is increasingly under scrutiny. The outcome will also shed light on the efficacy of legal protections for ‘deemed forests’ and the enforcement of Supreme Court orders that mandate their conservation.
As the case moves forward, the pressure mounts on the Telangana government and its agencies to justify the allocation of this land for commercial development, especially given the environmental implications. Activists are watching closely, hoping the court will provide a favourable ruling to protect the natural landscape of Gachibowli, a region that has become symbolic of the conflict between urban development and environmental sustainability in India’s rapidly growing cities.
