HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has clarified in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court that the 400-acre land in Kancha Gachibowli belongs entirely to the state and has never been recorded as forest land. It stated that the land has never featured in forest records at any point.
The controversy began after the state government levelled the land using bulldozers for various development purposes, prompting concerns over environmental violations. Taking suo motu cognisance, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai imposed a stay on all activities at the site and sought detailed responses to five specific questions by April 16.
The court asked:
1. What was the urgent necessity to undertake development activities, including tree felling, in the area being claimed as forest land?
2. Has the state government obtained an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate for the chosen development projects?
3. Were the necessary permissions under forest and other local laws obtained for felling the trees?
4. Why did the state government appoint officials unrelated to forest identification in the expert committee formed as per Supreme Court directives?
5. What has the government done with the trees that were already felled?
In response, the state government affirmed that the land is not forest land and is entirely government-owned. It explained that the land had been lying vacant for over two decades due to ongoing legal disputes, during which natural tree growth occurred. The government said the location is ideal for expanding public infrastructure and clarified that the area is free of legal disputes.
According to the affidavit, developing the land would help attract investment and generate employment rapidly. It also addressed concerns over wildlife, stating that animals are not native to the site but roam across the broader 2,000-acre area that includes the Central University campus. The government assured that measures would be taken to prevent disruption to wildlife following development.
The affidavit further stated that the trees cut do not fall under protected categories. The government said it is prepared to allocate alternative land and plant new saplings if necessary.
