Hyderabad: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Telangana government to present a comprehensive plan within six weeks to balance developmental needs with environmental protection, while hearing a suo motu case on large-scale deforestation in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli area.
A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran emphasised that the court was not against development but insisted it must be sustainable and mindful of forests, wildlife, and lakes.
“Forests cannot be destroyed overnight with bulldozers,” the bench had earlier cautioned, warning of stern action if the lost forest cover is not restored.
Appearing for the State, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that all tree-felling had been halted and that the government was preparing a holistic conservation-and-development plan. He sought six to eight weeks to submit it.
The CJI responded positively, stating:
“If you come with a good proposal, we will withdraw all adverse observations and give you a real compliment. The forest which has been destroyed has to be restored.”
In a lighter remark, he urged the State not to delay the plan until his retirement on November 24.
The court recorded the assurance and adjourned the matter for six weeks, directing that any future development in the area must include compensatory and mitigating measures to safeguard the environment.
