Kancha Gachibowli land auction: UoH students begin indefinite protest; court hearing tomorrow on national park status

Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad Students’ Union on Tuesday announced indefinite protest and boycotting of classes starting April 1, intensifying their opposition to the auctioning of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. They demanded that the State government remove the police and earth-moving machinery from the campus and state the ownership of the land transparently.

The students marched on the campus, holding placards and chanting slogans.

On the other side, many CPM, BJYM and CPI leaders tried to enter the university, protesting the development works happening at the 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli. The police arrested them and took them to various police stations in the city.

The natural habitat of Kancha Gachibowli is in danger

Kancha Gachibowli is one of the few remaining urban forests in Hyderabad. This habitat hosts a wide range of birds and animals. There are approximately 237 species of birds on the campus. It’s one among the few urban forest areas that houses Spotted Deer, Wild Boars, Star Tortoises and numerous snake species such as Indian Rock Python, Vipers, Cobras, Boas and Kraits.

The Telangana government intends to develop world-class infrastructure in this government land through the Telangana Government Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC). It is preparing to invite tenders for the integrated development of this land.

Over the last two days, more than 40 JCBs were deployed to clear the area, disturbing the habitat. Videos of peacocks and deer shouting on Monday night were shared on social media.

The students demanded the immediate removal of JCBs from the area, a written assurance that the university would take steps to ensure that the land is registered under the university and transparency in land-related documents.

High Court hearing on land on April 2

A few days ago, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by the NGO Vata Foundation in the Telangana High Court to declare the 400-acre forest at Kancha Gachibowli as a national park.

Though the hearing was scheduled for April 7, after a lunch motion petition, the court has scheduled the hearing for April 2, Wednesday.

Speaking to NewsMeter, environmentalist Uday Krishna, the founder of the Vata Foundation, said, “Had the committee submitted the report, the land would have been qualified to be declared as deemed forest. We demand to convert the area into a national park similar to KBR park. As the land belongs to the Telangana government, it can be easily converted into a national park. Instead, they are privatising the area. The government should understand that the city should have green spaces like Kancha Gachibowli. Why destroy nature and wildlife?”

“At least 40 JCBs are deployed to clear the area. There are another 200 acres on another side of the HCU campus. The wildlife are likely to move towards the forest area for their survival. If the court hearing is positive and the government doesn’t want to make it a national park, we are ready to convert the area into a forest cover for the wildlife,” said Uday Krishna.

What does the TGIIC say?

TGIIC had earlier announced that unique rock formations and mushroom rocks on this land would be preserved as a green zone. A detailed environmental protection plan has been prepared and will be implemented. TGIIC stated that they have not encroached the land, nor has it removed any water bodies or rock structures.