Hyderabad: The Telangana govt’s decision to auction 400 acres of ecologically sensitive land in Kancha Gachibowli for real estate development sparked widespread outrage among environmentalists, students, and local residents.
The land, home to rich flora and fauna, is set to be auctioned for an estimated 10,000 crore. Protestors, who are rallying under the banner of ‘Save City Forest’, argue that the move threatens Hyderabad’s biodiversity and climate resilience. Kancha Gachibowli is one of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests, playing a crucial role in maintaining the city’s environmental balance.
Hosts over 200 bird species
“The region hosts over 700 plant species, 25 species of mammals and reptiles and about 200 bird species. The area also houses peacock lake and buffalo lake, essential water bodies that support various species and help recharge groundwater table. Additionally, the land is home to 2.5-billion-year-old rock formations,” said Ravi Kumar Jillapalli, a UoH alumnus, who founded ‘Wild Lens’ to capture the wildlife of the forest. Ravi Kumar is now a faculty member at Northwestern University, Chicago.
As part of the campaign, people started a petition targeting 25,000 signatures and organised protests on UoH campus along with the varsity’s students’ union.
“Killing a forest for real estate is short-sighted and dangerous. The govt must recognise the irreversible damage that deforestation in this area will cause and take steps toward sustainable urban planning instead. This will lead to higher temperatures, increased air pollution, reduced rainfall absorption, and more human-wildlife conflict,” said Shivani Upadhyaula, a resident of the area.
Legal battle
The land in question was originally part of the 2,324 acres allotted to the University of Hyderabad when it was established in 1974.
“However, successive govts chipped away at this land, using portions for various projects. In 2004, the university signed a MoU with the state govt for transfer of 534 acres to a private entity for sports development, but the plan never materialised. Instead, the land was repossessed by the govt, leading to a legal battle. The Telangana high court ruled in favour of the state govt last year, clearing the way for the auction,” said Akash Kumar, vice-president of the student union.
“This acts as a green lung for Hyderabad, absorbing pollutants and helping to recharge groundwater levels,” said Uday Krishna, founder of Vata Foundation.
“We demand that the legal ownership of land be promptly given to the varsity and the auction plan be immediately called off. Until these demands are met, we will continue the protest,” added Bishnu J, from student’s union.
The land, home to rich flora and fauna, is set to be auctioned for an estimated 10,000 crore. Protestors, who are rallying under the banner of ‘Save City Forest’, argue that the move threatens Hyderabad’s biodiversity and climate resilience. Kancha Gachibowli is one of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests, playing a crucial role in maintaining the city’s environmental balance.
Hosts over 200 bird species
“The region hosts over 700 plant species, 25 species of mammals and reptiles and about 200 bird species. The area also houses peacock lake and buffalo lake, essential water bodies that support various species and help recharge groundwater table. Additionally, the land is home to 2.5-billion-year-old rock formations,” said Ravi Kumar Jillapalli, a UoH alumnus, who founded ‘Wild Lens’ to capture the wildlife of the forest. Ravi Kumar is now a faculty member at Northwestern University, Chicago.
As part of the campaign, people started a petition targeting 25,000 signatures and organised protests on UoH campus along with the varsity’s students’ union.
“Killing a forest for real estate is short-sighted and dangerous. The govt must recognise the irreversible damage that deforestation in this area will cause and take steps toward sustainable urban planning instead. This will lead to higher temperatures, increased air pollution, reduced rainfall absorption, and more human-wildlife conflict,” said Shivani Upadhyaula, a resident of the area.
Legal battle
The land in question was originally part of the 2,324 acres allotted to the University of Hyderabad when it was established in 1974.
“However, successive govts chipped away at this land, using portions for various projects. In 2004, the university signed a MoU with the state govt for transfer of 534 acres to a private entity for sports development, but the plan never materialised. Instead, the land was repossessed by the govt, leading to a legal battle. The Telangana high court ruled in favour of the state govt last year, clearing the way for the auction,” said Akash Kumar, vice-president of the student union.
“This acts as a green lung for Hyderabad, absorbing pollutants and helping to recharge groundwater levels,” said Uday Krishna, founder of Vata Foundation.
“We demand that the legal ownership of land be promptly given to the varsity and the auction plan be immediately called off. Until these demands are met, we will continue the protest,” added Bishnu J, from student’s union.
