Kancha Gachibowli deforestation: SC gives Telangana 6 weeks to submit revised plan

Hyderabad: The Supreme Court heard the suo motu matter concerning the Telangana government's felling of over 1,000 trees in Hyderabad's Kancha Gachibowli area for an IT project, emphasizing that development must be sustainable and environmentally responsible, and granted six weeks for the submission of a revised proposal on Wednesday.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran took note of the state’s submission that it is working on a revised plan to balance development with ecological concerns. Senior Advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing Telangana, sought additional time, stating that the government is considering a "much larger plan" that accounts for wildlife, forests, and lakes in the area.

The CJI responded positively, stating, “If you come up with a good proposal, we will withdraw all earlier compliments and give you real compliments. Time and again, we have said we are not against development, but it has to be sustainable. While carrying out developmental activities, the interest of the environment and wildlife must be safeguarded through mitigating and compensatory measures.”

The Apex court had earlier reprimanded the state for allegedly misusing a long weekend to bulldoze trees without prior approval. However, it acknowledged Telangana’s assurance of a more balanced approach and granted six weeks for the submission of a revised proposal on Wednesday. The matter will be heard again after six weeks.