Hyderabad Rises to Save Its Last Urban Forest from Auction : Kancha Gachibowli Land Issue
Why is this in News?
The Kancha Gachibowli land issue is in news because the Telangana government planned to auction 400 acres of forest land near Hyderabad’s University of Hyderabad (UoH) to build IT parks. This sparked massive protests from students and environmentalists, and the Supreme Court has now intervened to stop the deforestation.
Important Key Points :
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The Telangana government announced plans to auction 400 acres of urban forest land near Hyderabad’s University of Hyderabad (UoH) for IT park development.
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The Kancha Gachibowli forest is one of Hyderabad’s last urban forests, rich in biodiversity and crucial for the city’s climate regulation.
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Students and activists protested, demanding the preservation of the forest, citing environmental and legal concerns.
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The forest land, although part of UoH’s ecosystem, was never officially declared as forest land, creating a legal grey area.
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The Supreme Court ordered an immediate stop to deforestation activities and asked the Telangana government for an explanation.
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Two PILs (Public Interest Litigations) were filed; the SC took suo motu cognisance and directed a central committee to investigate.
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Protesters are calling for the land to be declared a National Park to ensure long-term protection.
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The government argues the auction would generate ₹50,000 crore in investments and create around 5 lakh jobs.
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The issue highlights the tension between urban development and environmental conservation in India.
