The Supreme Court on Thursday issued an interim order halting tree felling in Telangana's Kancha Gachibowli forest area near the Hyderabad Central University campus.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih passed the order following an oral mention by Senior Advocate K. Paremeshwar, the amicus curiae in forest-related cases. The bench directed the Telangana High Court Registrar to visit the site and submit a report by 3:30 PM today. Additionally, the Chief Secretary of Telangana has been instructed to ensure no trees are cut until further orders. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter later today at 3:45 PM.  

"Newspapers depict that vast deforestation is being undertaken in the Kancha Gachibowli forest. It shows that large number of trees are being felled. The news items show that taking advantage of long holidays over the weekend, the authorities have rushed to felling the trees. It is further reported that the forest area is house to 8 types of scheduled animals.

We direct Registrar (Judicial) of Telangana HC to forthwith visit the site in question and submit his interim report by 3.30 PM today. Registrar (Judicial) of this Court to forthwith communicate this order to Registrar (Judicial) of HC, who shall act upon it forthwith."

Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Dr. AM Singhvi, representing the Telangana government, informed the Court that the Telangana High Court is also examining the issue. On Wednesday, the High Court had issued a status quo order on tree felling, effective until today.