#Savecityforest: Telangana to auction 400 acres land in Gachibowli for ₹10,000 crore; residents fume, launch campaign

Hyderabad: Cyberabad residents have launched a social media campaign against the Telangana government for auctioning 400 acres of land in Gachibowli to raise funds.

A 400-acre area between Hillridge and ISB, Gachibowli, is being sold for ₹10,000 crore. This land is four times bigger than KBR—a critical green lung space.

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 Snakes -Indian Rock Python, Vipers, Cobras, Boas, Kraits, etc.

Kancha Gachibowli is one of the few remaining urban forests in Hyderabad. Destroying it will set a dangerous precedent for other ecologically sensitive areas.

Where will the animals go? Who will speak for them?

Savecityforest, a group from Hyderabad, has started a campaign to save the land and animals. The organisation is making plans to collaborate with lawyers and environmentalists to save the land.

What is the issue?

According to U Shivani, a member of Savecityforest, Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSIIC) has announced the auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, Serilingampally Mandal, Hyderabad. The estimated value of the land is ₹10,000 crore, and the auction process will take place from March 8 to 15, 2025.

While the government positions this as a revenue-generation and infrastructure development initiative, what remains unspoken is the ecological and environmental significance of this land.

This area is not a barren land, as is being projected in mainstream articles. It is a rich, biodiverse forest habitat that has remained untouched so far by development. This habitat is also home to multiple wild species like the spotted deer, porcupines, Indian mongoose, wild boars, and monitor lizards, just to name a few. Not to mention that the proposed area also includes Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake, which welcome a large number of migratory birds. The proposed auction raises serious concerns about environmental destruction, loss of wildlife, and climate consequences for Hyderabad.

Government's Plan for Auction:

The TSIIC has invited consultants to develop an international-standard sustainable master plan for this land. It includes:

Commercial and residential development

Public parks and amenity zones

Walkways, cycling trails, and green spaces

Heritage and culture-based eco-parks

Consultants with a minimum of 20 years of experience in real estate will assess the technical and financial aspects of the land, after which it will be auctioned to prospective buyers in phases. The planning process is expected to be completed within six weeks, after which the auction will proceed.

Speaking to NewsMeter, a member of savecityforest, who is also a resident of Hillridge, said: "Surprisingly, the government never mentions the forest. We got in touch with the forest officials, but they are unable to help because it is not forest land. Further, we are approaching the central government and filing a petition."

When contacted, UoH Registrar Dr. Devesh Nigam said, "There is no land dispute between the University of Hyderabad and government. As per court orders, the land belongs to the government, and they will take action accordingly,".

The Hidden Reality:

Kancha Gachibowli is a Rich Ecological Zone

This 400-acre land, located between Hillridge, ISB, and the University of Hyderabad (UoH), is an untouched and continuous stretch of a rich forest ecosystem with high biodiversity.

`WILDLENS’ from the University of Hyderabad has documented the diverse flora and fauna of this region through photos and videos in the past.

According to their assessment, this habitat hosts a wide range of birds and animals. There are approximately 237 varieties of birds on the campus. The University also has a good number of herbs and medicinal Plants.

Of these, the Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is a protected species under Indian law. Specifically, it is listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972. This schedule offers protection to the species, which should also include the protection of its habitat.

Internationally, the Indian star tortoise has been classified as vulnerable under the IUCN Red List since 2016, indicating a declining population trend. Additionally, in 2019, it was moved to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), reflecting the highest level of international protection against commercial trade.

If this forest is destroyed, these species will lose their natural habitat with nowhere else to go. The disruption of this ecosystem will have severe consequences, including human- wildlife conflict and the irreversible loss of biodiversity, said an expert.

Impact on Climate, Air Quality & Water Security:

Kancha Gachibowli’s green cover serves as a natural climate regulator for Hyderabad. The forest functions as a green lung space, reducing urban heat island effects and cooling the surrounding areas. With Hyderabad experiencing increasingly harsh summers, the destruction of this forest will worsen local climate conditions and increase air pollution levels, said another expert.

Air Quality Improvement:

Trees act as natural air filters, absorbing carbon dioxide and trapping pollutants like dust, smoke, and harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

Large green spaces help reduce air pollution, making urban environments healthier.

With rapid urbanization and vehicular emissions, Hyderabad is already facing deteriorating air quality. Destroying this green cover will only worsen pollution levels.

Water Security & Groundwater Recharge:

Forests play a crucial role in water retention by absorbing rainwater and preventing rapid surface runoff.

Trees and plant roots facilitate groundwater recharge, helping to sustain Hyderabad’s underground water tables.

Destroying this forest will stop the groundwater recharging capability and hence would reduce the groundwater availability.

Cooling Effect & Climate Regulation:

Urban forests help mitigate the urban heat island effect, where cities become significantly hotter due to concrete, asphalt, and reduced green cover. The shade from trees and evaporation from leaves lower temperatures, creating a cooler and more livable environment.

Losing 400 acres of dense green cover will make Hyderabad’s summers even harsher, increasing energy consumption for cooling and exacerbating heat-related illnesses.

Historical Ownership & Legal Battles

Original Ownership (1974):

The University of Hyderabad (UoH) was established in 1974 and allotted 2,300 acres under Survey No. 25 by the Andhra Pradesh government for academic and research purposes.

In the early 2000s, 400 acres in Survey No. 25, Kancha Gachibowli, were reallocated to IMG Academies Bharata for a sports academy at an underpriced rate of ₹50,000 per acre (totaling ₹2 crore). The actual market value at that time was over ₹300 crore.

IMG failed to develop the sports academy as per the agreement. The Andhra Pradesh government reclaimed the land, citing non-utilization and breach of contract.

Legal Battle & High Court Verdict (2025):

IMG challenged the repossession, leading to a long legal dispute. In 2025, the Telangana High Court ruled in favor of the government, allowing it to retain and auction the land.

Government’s Plan for Auction (2025):

TSIIC has now decided to auction the land for commercial use. What this means is that despite being originally intended for academic and research use, this land will be transformed into a real estate asset without any regard for its ecological importance. The legal battle was won by the government, but the true cost of this victory is the irreversible loss of a natural habitat.

Climate Consequences:

Hyderabad already faces extreme summer heat. Losing 400 acres of green cover will worsen the heat island effect, making the city hotter and unlivable.

Unethical Monetization of Public Land:

This land’s conversion into a real estate project prioritizes revenue over environmental well-being.

An Urgent Call to Action:

The auction of Kancha Gachibowli’s 400-acre forest is not just a real estate issue—it is a direct attack on Hyderabad’s ecological balance. This land is a critical biodiversity zone, a climate regulator, and one of the few remaining urban forests in the region, said the environmentalists.

Once destroyed, this habitat cannot be restored. Citizens, environmentalists, and policymakers must oppose this auction and demand the protection of this vital green space, they added.

Hyderabad’s future depends on sustainable development that prioritizes environmental preservation over short-term financial gains.

"We must protect this forest before it is lost forever. The state is expected to start taking bids from March 8 to 15, 2025. After this, the bids are selected, and land parcels are awarded within the next 2 months. We must raise our concerns over this issue and let the government know that we are closely monitoring this case," said an expert.