The Supreme Court Today (April 16) strongly criticized the Telangana government for cutting trees in Kancha Gachibowli near Hyderabad University, calling it an environmental crisis. It ordered a complete stop to tree felling and promised to go “out of the way” to protect nature.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India today raised serious concerns about a large number of trees being cut on a land area next to the University of Hyderabad. The Court said that protecting the environment and ecology is very important, and it will take extra steps if needed to ensure that nature is not harmed.
A two-judge bench, made up of Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, strongly questioned the Telangana state government about why they were in such a big rush to cut down the trees.
The bench said,
“You have to come up with a plan as to how you will restore those 100 acres (of land),”
-while talking to senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who was representing Telangana in the case.
Justice Gavai also shared that the Court was shocked after seeing video clips showing animals running for shelter due to the sudden loss of forest cover. The judges immediately asked the wildlife warden of Telangana to take quick action to protect the animals living in the area.
Justice Gavai clearly stated,
“For the protection of the environment and ecology, we will go out of the way.”
The Supreme Court also made it very clear that no more trees should be cut until the next hearing.
It said,
“In the meantime, not a single tree will be felled there.”
Earlier, on April 3, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance (meaning the Court itself started the case without anyone filing a petition) of the Telangana government’s tree-cutting drive in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area. The Court had called it a “very serious” issue.
It asked the Telangana government to give reasons for such a “compelling urgency” behind cutting down so many trees. The Court also ordered a complete stop to all tree-cutting and development activities on that land until further notice.
This entire controversy started when students from the University of Hyderabad began protesting the state government’s plan to develop a 400-acre land that is right next to their campus. The students were worried that the plan would destroy a valuable green area, home to many trees and animals.
The next hearing of the case will be held on May 15, and until then, the Supreme Court has made it clear that nature must not be disturbed anymore.
PREVIOUSLY IN APEX COURT
On April 3, the apex court took suo motu cognizance of the deforestation activities occurring in the Kancha Gachibowli forest, directing that no activities, except for the protection of existing trees, should be undertaken by the state or any authority until further orders.
The case arose after news came out that trees were being cut down to make way for land development. People living nearby and students from the University of Hyderabad say that the forest is home to many plants, animals, and birds. Cutting down the trees not only destroys nature but also affects the local climate and water levels.
According to the court’s schedule for April 16, the case will be heard by a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih.
The Supreme Court addressed the issue after being alerted by senior advocate K Parameshwar, who is serving as an amicus curiae in matters related to forests.
The bench reviewed an interim report from the registrar (judicial) of the Telangana High Court, which indicated that a significant number of small and medium-sized trees, as well as some larger ones, were being destroyed.
In its April 3 order, the bench stated,
“The report of the registrar (judicial) of the High Court of Telangana as well as photographs sent by him depict an alarming picture. Huge number of trees are being felled and apart from that, huge machinery is being deployed which has already destroyed an area of around 100 acres,”
The report further noted the presence of peacocks, deer, and various birds in the area, suggesting that a forest habitat existed for these wildlife species.
The bench instructed the chief secretary of Telangana to address several inquiries, including whether the state had obtained an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate for the proposed developmental activities and if the necessary permissions from forest authorities or local statutes were secured for tree felling.
Additionally, the Supreme Court requested that the central empowered committee visit the site in question and submit its findings before April 16.
Students from the University of Hyderabad have been protesting against the state government’s plans to develop the 400-acre land parcel next to the university.
Student groups and environmental activists have raised their voices against the development plan, saying it will harm the environment and nature.
This case is not only about one forest, but also about how India manages development while taking care of nature. People are hoping the court will give a fair decision that protects both people’s rights and the environment.
The Supreme Court’s action in Kancha Gachibowli Forest is a pivotal moment for environmental governance in India.
Case Title :
IN RE KANCHA GACHIBOWLI FOREST STATE OF TELANGANA
SMW(C) No. 3/2025
PREVIOUS ORDER-
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