Kancha Gachibowli: Peacock Cries Go Viral As Hundreds Of Trees Razed Near Hyderabad University | VIDEO

Videos of peacocks crying in distress as bulldozers razed hundreds of trees in Telangana's Kancha Gachibowli have gone viral. Shared widely on social media, the videos show birds howling as their habitat near the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) campus was reduced to rubble. The destruction has led to protests, with students and environmentalists condemning the action.

The felling of trees for a proposed IT park has triggered backlash, particularly from HCU students, who have taken to the streets in protest against the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government. Critics have labeled the large-scale deforestation as an "environmental massacre." 

Former Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao shared the video on X, calling it a "brazen green murder" and condemning the government’s actions. The BRS leader also shared a video of the destruction and the sounds of peacocks crying.

This is brazen green murder by destroying 400 acres of precious lung space in western Hyderabad

You can hear the peacocks crying for help as the bulldozers and JCBs of the Congress Govt rummage

If you don’t speak up now, it’s on you Mr @RahulGandhi #SaveHCUBioDiversity pic.twitter.com/iPxnhSgAdv

— KTR (@KTRBRS) March 31, 2025

ALSO READ: Canada: Hindu Temple Vandalised In Toronto, Police Launch Hunt For Two Suspects

Amid the growing outcry, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the deforestation and, on Thursday, ordered an immediate halt to further tree felling until further notice. Satellite images from March 28 to April 2 show rapid clearing of forested land, raising concerns about environmental damage.

Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav informed the Rajya Sabha that the Centre has sought a factual report from the Telangana government regarding the large-scale tree felling. Expressing concern, he stated, "I fail to understand what kind of enmity the state government has with those trees and green areas that they had to conduct an operation during the dark of the night."

ALSO READ: Congress, Owaisi Move SC Against Waqf Amendment Act After Parliament Nod: 'Violating Fundamental Rights'

The Telangana government has maintained that the land in question is not officially designated as forest land but rather classified as revenue land. According to reports, the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) asserts ownership of the land, claiming it was allocated for industrial development. Meanwhile, the University of Hyderabad has contradicted this, stating that the disputed land falls within its boundary.

The land dispute remains unresolved, with TGIIC stating that ownership was legally established in court, warning that any claims against it would constitute contempt. However, students and activists continue to push for the preservation of the area, arguing that the deforestation has caused irreparable damage to the ecosystem.