The Supreme Court is slated to hear on April 16 a matter related to the felling of trees in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area near the University of Hyderabad, for which it had earlier asked the Telangana government to clarify the “compelling urgency” behind the clearing of a substantial green cover.
Taking suo motu cognisance of reports of large-scale deforestation in the region, the apex court had on 3 April issued interim directions restraining any further activity on the 400-acre land parcel adjacent to the university.
“Until further orders, no activity of any sort, except the protection of the trees already existing there, shall be undertaken by the state or any authority,” the bench had stated.
As per the Supreme Court’s cause list for April 16, the matter is to be heard by a Bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih.
The court’s intervention followed submissions made by senior advocate K Parameshwar, who is serving as amicus curiae in forest-related matters. He placed before the Bench an interim report submitted by the registrar (judicial) of the Telangana High Court, detailing the scale of ecological damage underway.
“The report of the registrar (judicial) of the High Court of Telangana as well as photographs sent by him depict an alarming picture. Huge number of trees are being felled and apart from that, huge machinery is being deployed which has already destroyed an area of around 100 acres,” the Bench said in its order.
It further noted the presence of wildlife in the affected area. “These are, prima facie, indication that there existed a forest inhabited by the wild animals,” it observed.
The court asked the Telangana Chief Secretary to respond to several pointed queries, including whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate had been obtained prior to the commencement of development activities.
It also sought clarification on whether necessary approvals from forest authorities or other statutory bodies had been secured for felling the trees.
Additionally, the court directed the Central Empowered Committee to inspect the site and file a report before the next hearing.
The matter has sparked protests among students of the University of Hyderabad and environmentalists, who have raised strong objections to the state government’s proposed development of the ecologically sensitive area.
The student groups argue that the forest land, which borders their campus, plays a crucial role in the region’s biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
Environmental activists have warned that the destruction of the forest could have lasting consequences on the local ecosystem, especially considering the documented presence of peacocks, deer and various bird species in the area.
The matter is expected to draw considerable attention during the hearing.
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