Verdant expanse of Kancha Gachibowli, together with its hundreds of floral and faunal species will be history if the government goes ahead with its plan of auction of 400 acres of land.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Green and wildlife enthusiasts, coming together under the banner of ‘Save City Forests Collective’, called upon the citizens, environmentalists, and policy makers to oppose the proposed auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).
An online petition floated on Change.org on March 11 for a halt to the auction proposal, garnered close to 5000 signatures within a few hours.
‘The land is a critical biodiversity zone’
The auction is not just a real estate issue, but a direct attack on the city’s ecological balance, as the land is a critical biodiversity zone, a climate regulator and one of the few remaining urban forests in the region. Once destroyed, the habitat cannot be restored, hence it is imperative for all concerned to oppose this auction, a statement from the collective said.
Porcupines and other smaller wildlife form part of the biodiversity that flourishes in Kancha Gachibowli, where the government is planning to auction 400 acres of land.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Hyderabad’s future depends on sustainable development that prioritises environmental preservation over short term financial gains, the statement pointed out.
Two lakes attract migratory birds and support wildlife
“This area is not a barren land… or just another real estate opportunity—it is a rich, biodiverse forest habitat that has remained untouched so far by development,” the statement said, adding the existence of two lakes too which welcome a large number of migratory birds and support wildlife. The proposed auction raises serious concerns about environmental destruction, loss of wildlife, and climate consequences for Hyderabad, it said.
Water bodies in Kancha Gachibowli are home to several species of water fowl, and migratory birds.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
List of fauna
Citing an assessment by Wild Lens, a wildlife photography and conservation from the students of University of Hyderabad, the statement said the piece of land is one among the few urban forest areas which has wild fauna in natural habitat including 237 varieties of birds, spotted deer, wild boar, star tortoise, porcupine, Indian mongoose, monitor lizard, and several species of snakes including Indian rock python, vipers, cobras, boas, kraits and others, apart from a good number herbal and medicinal plants.
Among these, the Indian star tortoise has been classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2016, indicating a declining population trend. In 2019, it was moved to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), reflecting the highest level of international protection against commercial trade.
Positive effects of conservation
Cautioning that the destruction of this forest will further worsen local climate conditions and increase air pollution levels, the statement listed air quality improvement, water security and ground water recharge, and climate regulation as the positive effects of conservation of urban forests.
Terming the auction ‘unethical monetising of the public land’, the statement said destroying Kancha Gachibowli will set a dangerous precedent for other ecologically sensitive areas. Losing 400 acres of green cover will only worsen the heat island effect, making the city hotter and unliveable, it said.
Published – March 12, 2025 01:17 pm IST
