New Delhi: In a landmark ruling on April 3, 2025, the Supreme Court of India intervened to stop what it described as “alarming deforestation activities” in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli, a 400-acre urban forest adjacent to the University of Hyderabad (UoH). The decision marks a significant win for students, environmentalists, and civil society groups who have been locked in a fierce battle against the Telangana government’s plan to auction off this biodiverse land for IT parks. As the dust settles on this high-stakes environmental standoff, the future of one of Hyderabad’s last green havens hangs in the balance.

The Genesis of the Conflict: A Forest Under Threat

Nestled in the bustling Gachibowli area, Kancha Gachibowli is no ordinary patch of land. Spanning 400 acres, this urban forest is a biodiversity hotspot teeming with over 734 species of flowering plants, 220 bird species, 10 mammal species, and 15 reptile species. Its iconic rock formations, including the beloved “Mushroom Rock,” add to its natural allure. Once a grazing land (the Telugu word “kancha” means grazing), it has evolved over decades into a thriving ecosystem, serving as a critical carbon sink and climate regulator in a city increasingly choked by concrete.

The trouble began in February 2025 when the Telangana government, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, announced plans to auction this land to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for Rs. 75 crore per acre. The goal? To transform it into a gleaming IT hub promising Rs. 50,000 crore in investments and 5 lakh jobs. For a state eager to bolster its economic credentials, the prime location—smack in the middle of Hyderabad’s Financial District—seemed like a golden opportunity. But for students and environmentalists, it was a declaration of war on nature.

The Spark That Ignited Protests

The University of Hyderabad, whose campus abuts the contested land, became the epicenter of resistance. Historically, the 400 acres were part of a 2,300-acre parcel allotted to UoH in 1974. Over the years, the state government carved out chunks for various projects—a bus depot, a sports stadium, even an IIIT campus—leaving the forest’s boundaries blurred. Although legally owned by the state, the land’s status as a “forest” remained unnotified, a loophole the government exploited.

On March 30, 2025, the situation escalated dramatically. Fifty earthmovers rolled onto the UoH campus, accompanied by police barricades to keep students at bay. Trees began falling, and the air filled with the roar of machinery. Students, outraged by the destruction of their green backyard, launched massive protests. Chanting slogans and waving banners, they demanded the removal of police and machinery. The response was swift and harsh—53 students were detained, two arrested, and several injured in clashes with law enforcement. The Students’ Union declared an indefinite strike, vowing to fight until the forest was saved.

Ecological Stakes: Why Kancha Gachibowli Matters

Beyond its scenic beauty, Kancha Gachibowli plays a vital role in Hyderabad’s environmental health. Urban forests like this one purify air and water, sequester carbon, regulate temperatures, and bolster biodiversity. In a city grappling with pollution and heat islands, such green lungs are indispensable. Experts estimate that the forest once housed over 17,700 trees, with more than 10,000 already felled by mid-March, according to GIS analyst Sai Krishna.

The forest’s fauna—peacocks, deer, and countless bird species—face displacement, while its water sinks, critical in a concretized urban sprawl, risk drying up. Groups like Save City Forest argue that clearing this land without an environmental impact assessment violates wildlife and environmental laws. They’ve even proposed declaring it a National Park, citing the precedent of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park, another Hyderabad green space saved from development in the 1990s.

The Legal Battle: Courts Step In

As protests gained momentum, the judiciary took notice. On April 2, the Telangana High Court issued an interim order halting tree felling after two public interest litigations (PILs) were filed—one by the student union and another by civil society groups. But the reprieve was short-lived; earthmovers continued their rampage, burning shrubs and uprooting trees.

The turning point came on April 3, when the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the crisis. Justices B R Gavai and A G Masih ordered an immediate stay on all activities except tree protection, slamming the Telangana government for its “compelling urgency” to deforest without due process. The court dispatched the Telangana High Court registrar (judicial) to inspect the site, whose report painted a grim picture: vast swathes of cleared land, felled trees, and displaced wildlife.

Citing its 1996 T N Godavarman verdict—where any land with forest cover qualifies as “forest land”—the Supreme Court questioned the state’s claim that Kancha Gachibowli wasn’t a forest. “Have you taken requisite permission for felling trees?” Justice Gavai asked pointedly, warning that Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari could face jail time for non-compliance. The court also roped in a central empowered committee to submit a detailed report by April 16, signaling a thorough probe.

The Government’s Defense: Jobs vs. Trees

The Telangana government defends its plan as a necessary trade-off for progress. Chief Minister Reddy has touted the project’s economic potential—Rs. 50,000 crore in investments and 5 lakh jobs—arguing that Hyderabad’s IT boom demands more infrastructure. The TGIIC claims it will preserve key rock formations as green spaces within the layout, but critics like environmentalist Lubna Sarwath question the lack of transparency. “Where’s the master plan? Why no environmental assessment?” she asks.

The land’s murky history adds complexity. Allocated to a private sports firm in 2003, it was reclaimed in 2006 after a legal tussle, with the Supreme Court affirming Telangana’s ownership. Yet, its integration into UoH’s ecosystem has fueled demands for “forest” status, a designation the government resists.

Voices of Resistance: Students, Teachers, and Citizens Unite

The protests have galvanized a broad coalition. The University of Hyderabad Teachers Association joined the fray on April 2, demanding the land be declared a bio-heritage reserve. Civil society groups met with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, highlighting violations of the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. “The government’s disregard for the environment is blatant,” said activist Kiran Kumar Vissa.

Nationally, the issue has sparked outrage, prompting the Union Ministry of Environment to demand a report from the Telangana Forest Department. Calls for accountability are growing, with experts like Donthi Narasimha Reddy arguing that preserving an existing forest outweighs planting new trees elsewhere.

What’s Next for Kancha Gachibowli?

Hours after the Supreme Court’s stay, CM Reddy formed a ministerial committee—comprising ministers Vikramarka, D Sridhar Babu, and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy—to consult stakeholders and chart a path forward. The Telangana High Court has deferred its next hearing to April 7, while the central empowered committee’s report looms large.

For now, the bulldozers are silent, but the fight is far from over. Environmentalists hope the Supreme Court’s intervention will force a rethink, potentially designating Kancha Gachibowli as a protected forest. Students, meanwhile, remain vigilant, ready to resume their strike if the government backslides.

Hyderabad’s Green Future at a Crossroads

The Kancha Gachibowli saga underscores a broader tension between rapid urbanization and ecological preservation. With initiatives like the Nagar Van Udyan Program and Miyawaki plantations, India is striving to green its cities. Yet, cases like this—echoing Mumbai’s Aarey Forest controversy—reveal the fragility of these efforts amid development pressures.

As Hyderabad awaits the Supreme Court’s next move, one question lingers: Can economic growth and environmental stewardship coexist? For the students and activists who’ve put their bodies on the line, the answer is clear—Kancha Gachibowli must stand.

FAQs