In a major step towards environmental conservation, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Telangana government to submit a concrete plan within four weeks to restore 100 acres of ecologically sensitive land cleared in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli area.

The apex court warned that senior bureaucrats could face “temporary imprisonment” for non-compliance. The court made it clear that in the meantime, not even a single tree should be felled in the subject area.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 15.

“Pursuant to our order, the CEC has inspected the spot and submitted report. Dr Singhvi, appearing on behalf of respondent-state, states that report is voluminous and State would take some time to respond. Four weeks’ time is granted to the state to file its reply. In the meantime, we direct the Wildlife Warden of Telangana to examine and put into effect immediate steps that are required to be undertaken to protect the wildlife which has been affected on account of the deforestation in the 100 acres”, mentions the order as reported by Live Law.

Supreme Court slams Telangana for Justifying Deforestation

The apex court slammed the Telangana Government for trying to justify tree felling across 100 acres of the 400-acre ecologically sensitive Kancha Gachibowli near the Hyderabad Central University in violation of environmental norms. The state’s argument that trees felled were under “exempted species like Subabul and Eucalyptus” and it did not require prior permission to cut them was rejected by the Supreme Court.

An immediate halt on the ongoing deforestation was ordered by a bench led by Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih. The bench directed that urgent measures should be taken to protect the wildlife which has been displaced due to deforestation. The court clearly stated that any attempts to justify the deforestation could result in “temporary prison” for responsible officials.

“If you want to save your chief secretary and senior bureaucrats from going to prison, show us how you will restore the land,” the bench said.

Justice Gavai referenced video evidence showing bulldozers uprooting 30-ft-tall trees and herbivores like spotted deer fleeing into residential areas, where they were mauled by stray dogs. “Your officers will face contempt if one more tree falls,” the apex court warned. It directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to personally monitor the site.

Reason behind Gachibowli deforestation

The disputed land, part of a 400-acre parcel controversially transferred from Hyderabad University to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for IT infrastructure development, has become a topic of dispute between environmentalists, political parties, and developers. The proposed IT Park – projected to attract Rs 50,000 crore investments and create 5 lakh jobs – has ignited fierce debates ahead of Telangana elections in 2025.

During the April 16 hearing, the SC bench criticised the state for deploying 50 earthmovers between March 30 and April 2 to clear vegetation without environmental clearances, calling it “a calculated attempt to circumvent scrutiny.”

Justification by Telangana

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Telangana, said the state felled only trees classified as exempted species under the Telangana Water Land and Trees Act, 2002. He said as per the law, if any owner desires to fell the exempted species, a mere self-certification submitted before the forest divisional officer in a pre-prescribed format is adequate.

Replying to this, the apex court stated that to fell trees even in private forests, permission has to be sought from the court. “We are not bothered by anything else. We are only concerned with the damage to the environment. Any enactment or interpretation that falls foul of this Court’s December 12, 1996, order will not be tolerated. We were shocked to see visuals of animals running for shelter. We were told some were even attacked by stray dogs,” said the court.

Media reports highlighting alarming Deforestation in Telangana

Supreme Court’s intervention in the case came after media reports highlighted an alarming large-scale Deforestation in Telangana. The reports suggested that authorities took advantage of the long weekend in the first week of April to quickly carry out the deforestation, threatening the habitat of at least eight scheduled animal species.