Reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection, the Supreme Court on Wednesday imposed a complete ban on tree-felling across a 400-acre stretch of land in Kancha Gachibowli, Hyderabad.

The Court also expressed its intent to explore avenues to expand green cover in urban areas.

“We may even consider expanding the green zones. Cities need green lungs like Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park. We are prepared to go out of our way to safeguard the environment and ecology,” observed a Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih.

Emphasising the urgency, the Bench directed, “In the meantime, not a single tree should be felled.”

The Court also instructed the Telangana government to take immediate steps to protect the local wildlife. It asked the State Wildlife Warden to assess the situation and implement measures to safeguard animals potentially impacted by the ongoing deforestation.

“In the meantime, we direct the Wildlife Warden of Telangana to examine and take immediate steps to protect wildlife affected by deforestation across 100 acres,” the Court said in its order.

Background

The case concerns a 400-acre land parcel in Kancha Gachibowli village, which the Telangana government, through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC), plans to auction for IT infrastructure development. The project has drawn sharp opposition from environmental activists and students, who argue that the land constitutes forest area and serves as an essential eco-sensitive zone for Hyderabad.

Protests have intensified in recent days, particularly from students at the nearby University of Hyderabad, who have clashed with police amid efforts to clear the land.

On April 3, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue and immediately stayed all tree-felling activity. It also asked the State to clarify whether it had the necessary permissions for such deforestation and if there was any pressing urgency behind the developmental plans.

Additionally, the Court directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct a site inspection and submit its findings. The CEC has since submitted its report.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, acting as Amicus Curiae, informed the Court that the land had been mortgaged to a private party to secure non-convertible bonds. “The Chief Secretary is aware of this mortgage,” he added.

The Court, however, remained focused on the ecological concerns. “We are not concerned with the mortgage. Our focus is on how and why so many trees were felled without proper permissions. If developmental work was planned, due process should have been followed,” the Bench remarked.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the State of Telangana, assured the Court of full cooperation and requested time to respond to the CEC’s voluminous report.

Granting the request, the Court allowed the State four weeks to file its reply.

“Let the State respond to the CEC report. Four weeks' time is granted. In the meantime, status quo will continue—no further tree-felling shall take place,” the Court directed