A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih questioned the Telangana government over the ‘tearing hurry’ to fell the trees.
Photo : PTI
A bench comprising Justices B. R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih questioned the Telangana government over its “tearing hurry” to cut down the trees at the site.
“You have to come up with a plan as to how you will restore those 100 acres (of land),” the bench told senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who appeared for Telangana.
Justice Gavai said the top court was surprised to see videos where animals were running for shelter. The bench directed the wildlife warden of Telangana to take immediate steps to protect the wildlife.
“For the protection of the environment and ecology, we will go out of the way,” Justice Gavai said.
While scheduling the next hearing for May 15, the bench orally directed that “in the meantime, not a single tree will be felled there.” The court asked the Telangana government to explain the “compelling urgency” behind clearing the dense tree cover and put a stay on any further activity until further orders.
The move comes amid protests by University of Hyderabad students against the state’s plans to develop a 400-acre land parcel adjoining the campus.
(With PTI inputs)
