Hyderabad – The Supreme Court of India has issued a strong warning to the Telangana government over the destruction of forest land at Kancha Gachibowli, close to Hyderabad Central University. The court has ordered the restoration of the forest and said that top government officials, including the Chief Secretary, could face jail time if they ignore the directive.
The court criticized the state for cutting down trees across 400 acres during a long weekend in March, without getting proper environmental clearance. Judges said the action appeared to be well-planned and deliberate. They emphasized that the damage to the environment must be fixed immediately or legal consequences would follow.
A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai voiced strong concerns. “You’re trying to defend this? This looks like a pre-planned operation. We’ve seen the photos — dozens of bulldozers were used,” he said. The judges warned that the officials involved could find themselves in serious legal trouble.
During the hearing, senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, representing Telangana, stated that no major work had taken place on the land. However, the court was not convinced. It demanded a full report from the state on how it plans to fix the damage and protect the environment.
The court made it clear that public interest and environmental safety must come first. It ordered the state to follow all environmental laws and take action to repair the damage done. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for July 23, by which time the government must submit a detailed update.
The land in question is valuable, and the Telangana government had intended to sell it for developing IT parks. However, after reports of widespread tree cutting, the Supreme Court stepped in on April 3, halting all deforestation work.
The court also instructed the state’s wildlife warden to protect animals affected by the clearing. Earlier, a report from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) confirmed large-scale tree felling in the area. The CEC’s findings were recently submitted to the court and have added pressure on the state to act responsibly.
The case highlights the growing importance of environmental protection in government decisions. As the July hearing approaches, all eyes are on how the Telangana government will respond to the court’s tough stance.
