K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party, has spoken out about the urgent need to protect the Kancha Gachibowli forests. This comes as controversy grows over plans to build an IT park on the forest land.
In a message posted on social media, KTR said that India is already facing serious pollution problems and is one of the countries most affected by climate change. The government’s plan to develop 400 acres of land near the University of Hyderabad has sparked protests. The Congress-led state government wants to auction the land for development, but public opposition has led the Supreme Court to pause any further action on the project.
KTR expressed strong support for University of Hyderabad students who are protesting the plan. The movement, called “Save Kancha Gachibowli,” is not just about stopping a construction project. Instead, it’s about protecting the forest and its rich biodiversity. Many of the protesters are students from other states, showing that people across India care about the forest’s importance.
The Kancha Gachibowli forest is home to many animals such as peacocks, spotted deer, and endangered species. The area also has more than 40,000 trees of 72 different species. KTR pointed out that the forest plays an important role in maintaining Hyderabad’s groundwater levels, and cutting down the trees could seriously harm the city’s water supply.
KTR also talked about Telangana’s earlier success in balancing growth with environmental care. He highlighted the ‘Haritha Haram’ programme, which planted over 2.73 billion saplings. This effort helped increase the state’s forest cover while also boosting the economy. Telangana’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) rose from ₹5.05 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹13.13 lakh crore in 2022-23.
Under BRS leadership, Telangana introduced a rule requiring 10% of budgets in local government bodies to be spent on greenery. KTR said this shows the state is serious about protecting the environment. He also suggested that every village should have its own nursery and that more public spaces should be turned into green parks to make cities more livable.
In a tweet, KTR made it clear that the issue is not about land or real estate, but about saving a valuable and living forest. He urged people to read his full opinion piece in the Economic Times to understand the importance of protecting Kancha Gachibowli.
