Kancha Gachibowli land row: SC halts development until further notice
Hyderabad: Observing that the report of Telangana High Court registrar depicts an alarming picture on tree felling near University of Hyderabad, the Supreme Court directed the state government to stop all kinds of developmental activities in the forested land of Kancha Gachibowli.
“Until further orders, no activity of any sort, except the protection of trees already existing, shall be undertaken by the State,” a judicial bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih said in its order.
Earlier, the judicial bench had instructed the Telangana High Court's Registrar (Judicial) to immediately visit the Kancha Gachibowli area to survey the impacted area and submit a preliminary report by the afternoon.
Expressing strong displeasure over the land clearing, the top court posed a question to Telangana Chief Secretary, “What was the compelling urgency to undertake activities, including removal of trees?”
The court warned her that if the directions are not complied with in true letter and spirit, the Telangana Chief Secretary will be held accountable. The state government was also asked to file an affidavit in the matter.
Emphasising the requirement of Environmental Impact Assessment certification, the court asked whether the state government obtained the certificate before initiating the development activity on the forested land.
Earlier in the day, the apex court temporarily halted tree felling in Kancha Gachibowli and instructed the Telangana High Court to report on the situation
The students of Hyderabad Central University and the environmentalists have been protesting against the Telangana government's contentious proposal to auction 400 acres of green land in Kancha Gachibowli. The proposed auction is expected to generate a revenue of Rs. 15,000 crore for the state’s coffers.
Following numerous complaints from public figures about the clearing of ‘forested’ land, the Union Environment Ministry has sought a report from the Telangana government on the allegations of illegal vegetation clearance on 400 acres of forest land near the University of Hyderabad campus.
