New Delhi, April 3 (H.S.): The Supreme Court, on March 3, 2025, addressed the significant destruction in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area, covering 100 acres, and questioned the Telangana government's rationale for using heavy machinery to clear trees under the guise of “developmental activity.” Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih expressed concerns about the environmental impact and directed the Telangana Chief Secretary to justify the compelling urgency behind the deforestation. The court warned that the Chief Secretary would be held accountable for any further actions taken, apart from safeguarding the remaining trees, emphasizing this with a remark about potential imprisonment on-site for the Chief Secretary.

The land in question has been designated for the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC), yet conservationists and Hyderabad University students argue that it qualifies as 'forest' under the Forest Conservation Act. Despite the State's claim that the area was never classified as a forest, the court's assessment revealed extensive tree loss and noted the past existence of diverse wildlife, including a lake.

Senior Advocate A.M. Singhvi's assertion that only some shrubs were cleared was challenged as the court reviewed evidence of drastic destruction. Justice Gavai underscored the seriousness of the situation, stating that no one, regardless of status, is above the law.

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a stern warning regarding the unauthorized depletion of forest cover, reiterating a previous order from March 4, 2025, that mandated Chief Secretaries and Union Territory Administrators to create expert committees to identify forested areas and prepare records within specified timeframes under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.

The Telangana government established its expert panel only after this directive, on March 15. The SC has demanded the Chief Secretary to clarify whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted before current development activities and if permission was acquired for tree felling, questioning the fate of those trees. A detailed affidavit addressing these concerns is to be submitted by April 16, with a personal site visit also required from the Chief Secretary to report back to the court.

This action by the SC follows a recent directive from the Telangana High Court that halted development in the Kancha Gachibowli area, a location claimed by conservationists and students from Hyderabad University to be classified as a forest under the Forest Conservation Act. They emphasized the ecological significance of the site, which hosts diverse flora and fauna, several lakes, and serves as a critical catchment area for drinking water for Hyderabad.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar