• Source:JND
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Kancha Gachibowli Row:  Amid widespread objections, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the deforestation effort in the biodiversity-rich Kancha Gachibowli region near the University of Hyderabad. The Telangana government was ordered by the top court to make sure that there was no tree cutting in the region after taking note of the situation.

In the ruling, the Supreme Court remarked that the "news items shows that the authorities, taking advantage of the long holidays over the weekend, have rushed through in felling the trees".

The forest is also home to eight kinds of listed animals, according to the order, as reported by Bar & Bench.

The dispute involves a 400-acre tract of land in Kancha Gachibowli village that the state intends to auction through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd., Hyderabad (TGIIC) to create IT infrastructure.

ALSO READ: Telangana HC Halts All Work On Disputed Kancha Gachivowli Land Near Hyderabad University

Previously, the Telangana High Court ordered the Congress government to suspend all efforts in this respect till April 3.

The petitioners further argued that the state government's decision to grant the property to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) breached the Forest Conservation Act.

The lawyer for the petitioner contended that the "narrow economic interests" of the authorities would result in the loss of the 400-acre site's flora and fauna, regardless of whether it belonged to HCU or the state government.

Students Begin Relay Hunger Strike

The University of Hyderabad Students Union launched a relay hunger strike on Thursday in protest of the Telangana government's intentions to develop a 400-acre tract of land adjacent to the university campus and establish an IT park there.

The relay hunger strike began at the varsity's main entrance, with a demand to stop the 'bulldozing of trees' on the site, the removal of earth-moving gear, and the withdrawal of cops from the campus, according to UoHSU Vice President Akash Kumar.

He also stated that the boycott of classes is continuing, although voluntary. In support of their demands, the UoHSU and other affiliated unions and groups have begun an indefinite protest and declared a boycott of classes beginning April 1.