The Telangana High Court has ordered an immediate halt to the clearing of a 400-acre green stretch near the University of Hyderabad (UoH), following widespread protests from students, teachers, and environmentalists. The court’s decision came on Wednesday, pausing all activities until the next hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Since Sunday over 50 earthmoving vehicles have been working on the land in Kancha Gachibowli, removing trees and vegetation as part of the state government’s plan to auction the area for IT park development. The move triggered protests, with students and faculty members accusing the government of environmental destruction.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday when police dispersed demonstrators, including university teachers and students. A protest march turned violent after authorities used batons to break up the gathering. Protesters alleged that barricades had been put up to block their access to the site, and deforestation continued for a third straight day. Many students also boycotted classes, demanding the removal of police forces and excavation machinery.
The High Court bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, was hearing pleas from the NGO Vata Foundation and petitioner Kalapala Babu Rao. They argued that although the land is not officially classified as a forest, it meets key ecological criteria with its vegetation, rock formations, lakes, and diverse wildlife. They contended that clearing it violated Supreme Court rulings, the Forest Conservation Act, and related regulations.
The Telangana government however defended its actions, stating that the land was transferred to a private sports management company in 2003 and has always been classified as industrial land. The Advocate General asserted that it was never forest land and had long been intended for non-environmental purposes.
Several civil society members and ecologists condemned the government’s move. Former UoH professor Dr. G. Haragopal stated that while the university may not legally own the land, it has a moral claim over it. He highlighted that the 400 acres were part of the original 2,300-acre land granted for UoH’s establishment in the 1970s.
Haragopal, emphasizing that no development project should justify environmental destruction said “The 50-year-old university compound wall stands as proof of this land’s rightful association with UoH”.
Echoing these concerns, another former professor, Dr. D. Narasimha Reddy, stressed the importance of balancing development with environmental sustainability. “This is not a debate between development and environment it is about ensuring development while protecting nature. Once an ecosystem is lost, it cannot be recreated,” he warned.
UoH Vice-Chancellor Prof. Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao addressed the protesting students, urging them to focus on securing the university’s land rights. He revealed that the university’s executive council had resolved to push for legal ownership of the disputed land to prevent further encroachment.
In a further attempt to intervene members of the student union met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday, submitting a formal request to safeguard the land.
With the High Court’s temporary stay in place, all eyes are now on the upcoming hearing, which could determine the fate of this contested green expanse.
