• Source:JND
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The Telangana High Court on Wednesday ordered a temporary halt on work at a 400-acre land parcel in Kancha Gachibowli, near Hyderabad Central University, for 24 hours. The decision came while the court was hearing public interest litigations (PILs) filed by students and the Vata Foundation. The petitioners argued that the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) was violating Supreme Court orders by using bulldozers to clear trees.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara directed that all activities, including tree felling, be suspended until further hearings on Thursday. The case revolves around the State government’s move to auction the 400-acre land through TGIIC. The dispute has seen the University of Hyderabad and the State government locked in arguments over land ownership and usage.

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The petitioners contended that the government’s actions violated the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. They claimed the land hosts various species of birds and animals, and they sought its designation as a deemed forest or national park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

The petitioners also highlighted that despite a state order allotting the land, TGIIC must adhere to Supreme Court guidelines, which require forming a committee to evaluate the environmental impact before clearing trees. 

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Advocate General Sudershan Reddy, representing the State, argued that the land was allotted to the IMG Academy in 2004. After the academy failed to utilize it, the then government canceled the allotment. He further claimed that the land is not recognized as a forest, emphasizing that high-rise buildings with helipads exist on adjacent university land. He also pointed out that several areas in Hyderabad have snakes, peacocks and trees, which does not automatically classify them as forests, reported NDTV.

The issue gained momentum after university students launched protests against the clearance work. TGIIC had begun removing trees and rocks to prepare the land for auction, intended for the development of IT parks. With tensions rising, the High Court’s stay order has temporarily paused the activities, pending further legal deliberations.