The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay on tree felling across 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli near University of Hyderabad (UOH). The Telangana High Court also extended its order stopping the deforestation until April 7.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih directed the Telangana chief secretary to ensure that no further tree felling occurs. The registrar of the Telangana High Court has been asked to inspect the site and submit a report.
The Supreme Court&rsquo;s decision came after senior advocate K Parmeshwar, the amicus curiae in forest cases, raised concerns about the large-scale deforestation reported over the long weekend.
The Telangana High Court, hearing PILs filed by UOH students and Vata Foundation, extended its stay until April 7, allowing time for the government to file its response.
Concerns Over Environmental Impact
The petitioners argue that:
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">The land should be granted deemed forest status and designated a national park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">The area is an ecologically sensitive zone with three lakes, diverse wildlife, and rocky formations.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">As per Supreme Court guidelines, a committee of experts should assess deforestation impacts before clearing wildlife habitats.</li>
</ul>
Despite protests from students, faculty, and environmental activists, the Telangana government insists the land is state-owned and plans to use it for IT parks to generate employment. Officials deny that it falls under forested land.
The High Court is expected to review further reports before making a final ruling.
The Telangana High Court on Wednesday had stayed tree felling and other works on the land till Thursday. It pronounced the interim order while hearing the Public Interest Litigations filed by UOH students and Vata Foundation. While adjourning the hearing to Thursday, the court had directed the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) to stop the work. 
Vata Foundation, an NGO working for environmental conservation, sought deemed forest status for the land and demanded that it be declared a national park under Section 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. 
The petitioner&rsquo;s counsel had also submitted to the court that the UOH campus had all the features of biodiversity hotspots and was ecologically sensitive, as recognized by the Supreme Court for conferment of deemed forest status in the Godavarman case.
&nbsp;(with inputs from IANS)

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SC Halts Tree Felling Near Univ of Hyderabad

Amid protests, the Telanagana HC to review reports before ruling on issue

April 3, 2025 | 19:11 IST