Skip to main content

Forest destruction: Former civil servants slams Telangana govt for ecocide in Kancha Gachibowli

By A Representative 
The Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG), comprising 67 former and retired government officials, has issued a strongly worded open statement condemning the recent destruction of over 100 acres of forested land in Kancha Gachibowli, Hyderabad, for proposed IT development. The group, which includes former IAS, IPS, IFS, and other senior officials, expressed dismay at the Telangana government's actions, accusing it of violating Supreme Court orders and disregarding ecological concerns.
The 67 signatories include former Home Secretary G.K. Pillai, former Ambassador Deb Mukharji, and former Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.
The CCG highlighted that the land, part of Hyderabad Central University, was cleared using bulldozers, sparking protests from students. The state’s response, including arrests and lathi charges, was criticized as an attempt to suppress dissent rather than engage in dialogue. While the government has since stepped back, the CCG remains concerned about the legal and environmental implications.
The statement refutes the state’s claim that the land is not a forest, citing non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s 1996 Godavarman case, which mandated states to identify forests per their dictionary meaning. Telangana, carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, failed to follow these directives or subsequent orders on geo-referencing forests. The CCG noted that the land, termed “wasteland” in records, likely qualifies as a forest, hosting 220 bird species, migratory birds, deer, 700 plant species, critically endangered star tortoises, and the endemic Hyderabad Tree Trunk spider.
The group criticized the Telangana government for preempting a recently formed State Expert Committee (March 2025) by declaring the land non-forest, showing disregard for the Supreme Court’s April 2025 reiteration of forest identification orders. The CCG emphasized the ecological value of the 400-acre area, which acts as a green lung, moderates urban heat by 4°C, captures rainfall, and mitigates pollution.
The CCG expressed alarm over reports that ₹10,000 crore has been taken from private parties for the land and plans to convert it into an eco-park, which they argue is not equivalent to a forest and contravenes Supreme Court rulings. They urged the government to cancel any proposed land allotments, allow the Expert Committee to identify forests, and protect the area for regeneration.
The statement also called out the Congress party, which governs Telangana, for failing to uphold its 2024 manifesto promises of sustainable development and environmental protection. The CCG warned that such forest destruction is a recurring issue across India, threatening ecological security, and appealed to all governments to safeguard forests and biodiversity.  

Comments

Post a Comment

NOTE: Hateful, abusive comments won't be published. -- Editor

TRENDING

A fearless spirit lost: Rebecca Thomson dies at 17-hour Catalina Swim Mark

By Harsh Thakor  On July 26, 2020, Rebecca “Becky” Thomson suffered cardiac arrest while attempting the Catalina Channel Swim — a marathon open water crossing from Catalina Island to the California mainland. After swimming for 17 hours, Thomson collapsed in the water. Despite the painstaking efforts of emergency responders and the medical staff at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, she succumbed to a devastating hypoxic brain injury and died Friday evening.
Post a Comment
»

An open letter to PM: Before you forgive, ask for forgiveness

By Martin Macwan*  Respected Prime Minister,  The first step toward true forgiveness is asking for it, and it is out of respect for the Constitution that the title "Honourable" is used for the office of the Prime Minister. Every abuse is "dirty" because almost all abuse is uttered with the conscious intention of publicly humiliating a woman, much like the disrobing of Draupadi in the royal court. This includes remarks like "Jersey Cow," used at public meetings on the Gujarati land of Gandhi and Sardar; comparing a female MP's laughter in India's Parliament to "Surpanakha's laugh"; and using a vulgar address like "Didi O Didi" for a Chief Minister who holds a respected position in a democracy—along with every other such remark. In the 79-year history of independent India, you are better placed than anyone to say which Prime Minister has used such language against women.
3 comments
»

Bihar’s land at ₹1 per acre for Adani sparks outrage, NAPM calls it crony capitalism

By A Representative   The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has strongly condemned the Bihar government’s decision to lease 1,050 acres of land in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur district, to Adani Power for a 2,400 MW coal-based thermal power project. 
Post a Comment
»