The Supreme Court will hear on April 16 a case concerning the large-scale felling of trees on a land parcel adjacent to the University of Hyderabad, for which it has sought the Telangana government's explanation on the "compelling urgency" behind the move.

The issue came under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny on April 3, when the bench took suo motu cognisance of the deforestation in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area. In its order, the Court directed that no activity—except for protection of the existing tree cover—shall be carried out on the land until further notice.

As per the Court's cause list, the matter will be heard by a bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih.

The Court acted upon information shared by senior advocate K Parameshwar, who is assisting the bench as an amicus curiae in forest-related matters. The bench also examined an interim report submitted by the Registrar (Judicial) of the Telangana High Court, which highlighted the ongoing destruction of a significant number of small, medium, and large trees in the area.

“The report of the Registrar (Judicial) of the High Court of Telangana, along with photographs submitted, paint an alarming picture. A huge number of trees are being felled, and large machinery has been deployed, resulting in the destruction of around 100 acres,” the bench observed in its April 3 order.

The report also mentioned sightings of peacocks, deer, and various birds in the area, prompting the bench to remark that these were "prima facie indications that the area constituted a forest inhabited by wild animals."

The Court directed the Telangana Chief Secretary to respond to several key questions, including whether the state had secured an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance and if permissions from forest authorities or under relevant local laws were obtained prior to tree felling.

Additionally, the Court asked the Central Empowered Committee to inspect the site and submit a report before the scheduled April 16 hearing.

The matter has sparked strong opposition from students of the University of Hyderabad, who have staged protests against the state government's proposed development of the 400-acre land parcel bordering the campus. Environmental activists and student groups have raised serious concerns about the ecological consequences of the project.