Hyderabad.02.04.2025: The Telangana High Court has ordered a halt to all activities on 400 acres of disputed land in Kancha Gachibowli. This includes stopping tree cutting and any other construction or development work until the case hearing is completed. The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, issued the stay order while reviewing the case on Wednesday.
The dispute over this land involves the Telangana government and the University of Hyderabad, who have been debating ownership and usage rights. The Telangana government had planned to auction the land through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for commercial and industrial development. However, a retired scientist from Hyderabad, Kalapala Babu Rao, filed a legal petition challenging this decision. He argued that the land consists of forested areas and should be preserved under environmental laws.
According to the petitioner, the government’s move to raze the land is illegal, as it violates the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. He further claimed that the authorities failed to follow proper legal procedures, including setting up an Expert Committee under the Forest Conservation Rules 2023. The petitioner alleged that the state’s actions were unconstitutional and arbitrary, disregarding environmental protection laws and Supreme Court rulings on similar cases.
In addition to environmental concerns, Babu Rao requested the court to declare the 400-acre land as a National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. He believes this move would safeguard the area’s biodiversity and prevent its destruction due to commercial activities. He also cited the Supreme Court’s previous orders in the case of Ashok Kumar Sharma vs. Union of India, emphasizing the need to protect forest land.
The Telangana High Court took note of these arguments and decided to impose a temporary stay on all activities in the disputed area. This means that no tree felling, land clearing, or construction work can take place until the court reaches a final decision. The case hearing will continue on Thursday, where further arguments will be presented.
The dispute has sparked widespread discussions among environmental activists, government officials, and legal experts. Many environmentalists have voiced concerns over the increasing loss of green spaces in Telangana due to urban expansion. They argue that such areas should be preserved to maintain ecological balance and support wildlife.
The Telangana government’s stance on the issue remains firm, as it views the land as valuable real estate for economic development. The authorities claim that the land is not officially classified as a forest and that its sale could generate significant revenue for the state. However, opponents argue that once forest land is destroyed, it cannot be restored easily, making its conservation a priority.
As the case progresses, the Telangana High Court’s final decision will have significant implications for land policies, environmental protection, and urban development in the state. Until then, all work on the Kancha Gachibowli land remains suspended.
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