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

By Jag Jivan

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.

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