In a major environmental intervention, the Supreme Court on Tuesday strongly condemned the Telangana government for illegal deforestation of almost 100 acres of forest land in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli area, near the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) campus. The top court ordered immediate restoration work and threatened punitive action, including imprisonment for senior officials, if the violations persisted.
Bulldozers, Forest Loss, and Wildlife Disturbance
A bench headed by Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih was deeply concerned about the indiscriminate felling of forest cover allegedly done during holidays, without obtaining compulsory permissions. “We are only concerned with presence of bulldozers and the erasing of forest spread over 100 acres. If you wanted to build something… you should have taken required permission,” the bench noted.
The court gave special consideration to footage of traumatized animals running away from the deforested area. “herbivorous animals running to seek shelter… bitten by stray dogs,” the bench pointed out, underlining the damage to the environment inflicted by the unauthorized activity.
Court Demands Animal Protection, Threatens Jail for Officials
Judges asked for explanations of reports that the state had “self-exempted” animals from protected species lists and ordered the state’s wildlife warden to immediately ensure the safety of the displaced animals. Stressing accountability, the court reiterated that unless the state government submitted a tangible plan to restore the cleared land, senior officials—beginning with the Chief Secretary—could be sent to prison.
“If you want to save your Chief Secretary… tell us how you will restore those 100 acres. Come up with a plan… otherwise we don’t know how many of your officers will go to temporary (jail),” Justice Gavai told the government.
The court cautioned against any efforts to resume the clearance work, emphasizing its previous April 3 order prohibiting all activity except measures taken to safeguard remaining trees. “If you try to oppose restoration (of deforested land), then temporary prison for your officers. In the meantime, not a single tree will be felled,” it added.
Legal Violations and Government Response Over Forest Loss
The court was shocked that the state went overboard with procedures, quoting that “even governments come to court for (permission to) cut trees.” The bench also reminded it of a 1996 landmark judgment ordering state governments to prepare guidelines for tree felling, ensure wildlife preservation, and ensure ecological balance.
The disputed land adjoins the Hyderabad Central University and has been the focal point of protests by students and environmentalists. The petitioners, aided by the NGO Vata Foundation, requested the court to accord the land forest status and declare it a national park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Telangana government, conceded that “there may be some errors” in the process but maintained that the actions were “bonafide.” However, the court dismissed these arguments, asserting, “We are not concerned with all this. We are only concerned with the protection of the environment. Ensure displaced animals are safe. We only want to hear how 100 acres of forest land will be restored.”
Political Undertones
The plan to redevelop nearly 400 acres near the university, proposed by the Congress-led state government, has raised political heat. The Telangana government has made it clear that the HCU land is not touched and blamed opposition parties, especially the BRS and BJP, for making false propaganda for political mileage.
The Supreme Court fixed the next hearing on the issue for May 15.
