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States » SouthPosted at: Apr 2 2025 6:27PM


Civil society and academics protest destruction of Kancha Gachibowli urban forest

Hyderabad, Apr 2 (UNI) Eminent intellectuals, professors and representatives of civil society condemned the ongoing destruction of the Kancha Gachibowli urban forest, which has long been an integral part of the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) campus.
Talking to the media here on Wednesday, they said that despite appeals from environmental groups and university representatives, the government has continued its bulldozing activities, disregarding concerns about ecological damage and legal violations.
Speakers at the event included Prof G Haragopal, Prof D Narasimha Reddy, Kirankumar Vissa, Arun Vasireddy, Shivani from Save City Forests, and John Michael from NAPM Urban Struggles Forum.
They criticised the government’s refusal to halt destruction despite a detailed representation submitted to authorities yesterday. They emphasised that while the legal ownership of the land is debated, the critical issue remains the irreversible environmental loss caused by the deforestation of a biodiversity-rich area.
The civil society delegation, which met Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and other ministers, had urged an immediate halt to the bulldozing. However, as the destruction continued unabated, speakers condemned the government’s disregard for environmental laws, pointing out violations of the Environmental Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act, WALTA Act, and Supreme Court rulings on forest conservation.
They highlighted that Kancha Gachibowli is home to 233 bird species, 72 tree species, and endangered wildlife, including the spotted deer, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the city’s water system and air quality.
Public opposition to the deforestation is mounting, with an online petition by the Save City Forests group garnering over 1.42 lakh signatures, including 71,340 signatures just today. Environmentalists and citizens expressed outrage at the state government's proposal to develop the forest into an IT hub, warning of severe ecological and climatic consequences.
The speakers also demanded an immediate halt to the bulldozing, withdrawal of police cases against protesting students, full legal protection for Kancha Gachibowli as a biodiversity hotspot, and a halt to any proposed land auction. Citizens’ groups, faculty, and students pledged to continue their campaign through legal action and national-level advocacy to protect Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests.
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Tags: #Civil society and academics protest destruction of Kancha Gachibowli urban forest
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