HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court will hear two public interest litigations (PILs) on Wednesday, challenging the ongoing clearing of 400 acres of forest land in Kancha Gachibowli. Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul assured petitioners on Tuesday that their pleas-seeking protection of the disputed land, which falls under survey number 25 near University of Hyderabad-would be taken up urgently.
The petitioners, retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao and environmental body Vata Foundation, raised an alarm over large-scale land clearing at the site, allegedly using scores of excavators. They informed the court that destruction was progressing rapidly despite the area being classified as a ‘deemed forest,’ warranting legal protection. While Babu Rao filed a fresh PIL, Vata Foundation’s PIL was pending before court.

Land allotment challenged
According to the PILs, the Telangana govt, through GO No. 54 (issued on June 26, 2024), allocated this land to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for IT infrastructure development, with plans to sell it to tech companies at 75 crore per acre. However, the petitioners argued that this move violated a Supreme Court ruling in Ashok Kumar Sharma vs Union of India, which mandates states to protect deemed forests.
Babu Rao urged the court to declare the site a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act, emphasising that it is home to rare plant, bird, and animal species. Reports surfaced that 30-40 JCBs had been deployed since March 30 to clear the forest.
Wildlife loss
Petitioners also alleged that activists and students were forcibly detained in police stations, and prevented from intervening. “Carcasses of dead animals are now being discovered, which is distressing,” Babu Rao said. Babu Rao’s counsel informed the bench that photos of the destruction had been submitted along with the PIL. The court is set to take up the matter on Wednesday, with both PILs heard together.