Telangana High Court Stays Tree Felling Near Hyderabad University
The Telangana High Court has issued a temporary stay on the clearing of approximately 400 acres of green cover near the University of Hyderabad. This move comes amid rising concerns from citizens and environmentalists about the ecological impact of the government’s development plans for the land.
A bench led by the Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara passed the interim order while hearing public interest litigations filed against the deforestation. Petitioners, including environmental organizations and individuals, argued that the area hosts diverse flora and fauna and functions as a natural extension of the forest ecosystem.
“The area is home to a number of native trees, birds, butterflies and other wildlife, and has remained untouched for decades. There is no other such patch left in the city. This area should be deemed a deemed forest and protected from further destruction.”
The state government has proposed to use the land for setting up an IT park, asserting that the land is not classified as forest. According to the government, the land had been previously allotted for industrial use, and past legal decisions have upheld its status as state property.
Despite these claims, the court has paused all land-clearing activities and scheduled the next hearing to further examine the legal and ecological arguments raised.
Environmentalists and Students Protest Land Development
The court’s decision follows days of intense protests by University of Hyderabad students, faculty members, and environmentalists. Demonstrators have raised alarms about the irreversible damage to the ecosystem that such deforestation could cause. Marches, sit-ins, and classroom boycotts have taken place, with large crowds demanding the preservation of the green zone.
Police presence was heightened on campus, and in one instance, law enforcement used batons to break up a peaceful protest march. Students alleged that access to the site had been blocked by barricades, while bulldozers and other machinery continued to operate in the area.
University Officials Seek Resolution
University officials have been vocal about their concerns. Vice-Chancellor Professor Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao spoke to the protesting students and assured them that steps are being taken to secure legal ownership of the land for the university.
“This land was part of the original 2,300 acres allotted for the University of Hyderabad. The land is crucial for our future expansion and ecological preservation.”
He added that the university’s executive council is working to approach the state government for a permanent transfer of the land to the university. As legal proceedings unfold, the issue has become a flashpoint between environmental conservation and development policy in Telangana.
