‘Reclaim our Rocks’: UoH students, faculty protest auction of 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli

Hyderabad: With slogans such as ‘Reclaim our Land’, and ‘Reclaim our Rocks’, students of the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union (UOHSU) have taken up a protest for the protection of the 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli.

The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSIIC) recently announced the auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, Serilingampally Mandal, Hyderabad. The land incorporates the Mushroom Rock area in the University of Hyderabad, near its East Campus. The auction was scheduled between March 8 and 15. Such a move would entail severe consequences not only to the university but also to the Gachibowli area and Hyderabad city at large

The importance of the ecology of Kancha Gachibowli for Hyderabad

Kancha Gachibowli is one of the few remaining urban forests in Hyderabad. Destroying it will set a dangerous precedent for other ecologically sensitive areas. 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 such as Indian Rock Python, Vipers, Cobras, Boas, Kraits, etc.

On Thursday, the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union 2024-25 gave a call for a protest at the site of the ongoing bulldozing. Hundreds of students, faculty members, university staff and environmental activists gathered at the East Campus and marched to save the land.

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.

Home to multiple wild species

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.

Speaking to NewsMeter, Akash, vice-president of UOHSU, said, “We are not ready to give the land to private parties and encourage destruction. On Wednesday, we saw bulldozers at the area clearing the land for survey. After the protest, there were no vehicles there today. A real estate development on this land will destroy the ecological zone this area is known for.”

What is the history of the land in UoH?

According to the Students Union, the government of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh granted 2,300 acres of land to the University of Hyderabad during its establishment in 1974. The land was meant for academic and research purposes. However, since the early 2000s, 400 acres of land have been disputed, with the Telangana Government having recently won its claim to it, with the High Court permitting the government to auction the land.

“Instead of using the land for its original purpose—enriching the academic ecosystem of the University—the Telangana Government immediately used this opportunity for profit generation from private companies. This land currently falls within the premises of the University of Hyderabad. It is deeply concerning that the University has no say in what is to be done with the 400 acres,” said Akash.

What are the demands?

1. Immediately stop the auction work at Mushroom Rocks.

2. Constitute a team of experts to assess the ecological significance of the area under attack.

3. Transfer legal ownership of land to the University to prevent future land grabs and encroachments.

Later that day, the Students’ Union also organised a sapling planting event at the protest site to symbolically highlight the ecological significance of the area. The event intended to remind the Telangana Government of the importance of strong public education for a better future for the country.

“We have decided to constitute a Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising representatives from the Students’ Union, Teaching Association, and Workers’ Union. This JAC will follow up with the protest and decide how to take the movement forward till the above demands are met,” said Akash.