Kancha Gachibowli land case hearing on May 15; SC says ‘will go out of the way to protect environment’

Hyderabad: The Supreme Court has scheduled the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land issue for hearing on May 15, granting the State four weeks to submit an affidavit in response to the report filed by the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC).

The court states the importance of environmental protection

The court earlier asked the CEC to personally visit the site and submit a report by April 16. According to that order, the CEC submitted a report to the court. On Wednesday, a Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih questioned the Telangana Government over the ‘tearing hurry’ to fell the trees there.

The court expressed concern over the environmental damage due to the felling of trees in Kancha Gachibowli and said it would go out of its way for the protection of the environment and ecology.

Justice Gavai expressed serious concern over the environmental damage, emphasising that the State would be better served by proposing a restoration plan rather than attempting to justify its actions. The court warned that failure to present a viable plan could result in some officials facing temporary imprisonment. The bench expressed concern at videos showing wildlife running to seek shelter, bitten by stray dogs.

Supreme Court ready to increase green spaces

“Maybe we will widen it. Let there be green lungs in the city, like in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park, etc. We will go out of our way for the protection of the environment and ecology. In the meantime, not a single tree should be felled there,” the court said.

On April 3, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the State’s tree felling drive in the Kancha Gachibowli forest and called it a ‘very serious’ matter. It asked the State to answer whether there was any compelling urgency to undertake the developmental activity, including the removal of trees from the forest area.

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 government intends to develop world-class infrastructure in this government land through the Telangana Government Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC). Following this, the Students' Union and locals have protested the issue.

Telangana Congress

Dr Addanki Dayakar, MLC put out a video statement, "We respect the Supreme Court interim observations. The state government will submit full details within four weeks. We would also like to make it clear that we respect national and international environment Forest Acts and Guidelines."