High Court Pauses Land Clearing Near Hyderabad Central University Amid Environmental Concerns
On Wednesday, the Telangana High Court issued a 24-hour stay on all developmental work on a 400-acre plot in Kancha Gachibowli, located near the Hyderabad Central University. The interim order was passed while hearing public interest litigations (PILs) filed by university students and the environmental NGO, Vata Foundation.
The petitioners argued that the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) was clearing the land using bulldozers and cutting down trees, allegedly in violation of Supreme Court directives. They highlighted that the corporation had failed to form a mandated committee to assess the environmental impact — a requirement if the land was home to wildlife — before commencing the work.
According to the Supreme Court’s order, if an area is inhabited by wildlife, the designated committee must study the potential impact of tree-felling for a month before making any recommendations.
The petitioners also claimed that the land in question supports a wide range of wildlife, including various bird and animal species. Vata Foundation urged the court to recognize the land as a deemed forest and sought its designation as a national park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
In response, Advocate-General Sudershan Reddy, representing the Telangana government, maintained that the land was not classified as forest. He pointed out that adjacent parcels host high-rise buildings — including four helipads — as evidence. He added that while snakes and peacocks are present across many areas of Hyderabad, this alone doesn’t qualify them as forest zones.
After hearing both parties, a division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul ordered an immediate halt to the ongoing work until Thursday.
Meanwhile, university students have launched protests against the deforestation and land clearance, accusing authorities of preparing the land for auction to develop IT parks. The protests escalated over the weekend when bulldozers arrived, leading to a clash between students and police. Several students were reportedly assaulted by officers during the confrontation.
The Telangana government has since clarified that the land in question does not belong to the university and accused opposition parties — the BRS and BJP — of politicizing the issue by spreading misinformation. It also warned of strict action against individuals obstructing development projects.
The BJP’s involvement has further intensified the political row, especially after the BRS accused the police of using excessive force on the students. The BRS has also criticized the Congress, accusing party leader Rahul Gandhi of inciting unrest under the guise of his ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’ campaign.
