Imagine a 400-acre patch of lush green land, filled with wildlife and lakes that help keep the city’s water supply steady, all surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a growing city. What if this peaceful, life-sustaining space was replaced by high-rise buildings and crowded roads? What happens when development starts to eat into nature?
A Green Space at Risk
Kancha Gachibowli isn’t just any land—it’s a crucial part of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus and a green refuge for the entire community. For UoH students, this space is much more than a park. It’s where they relax, study, and find peace from their busy routines.
Riya, a third-year student, says, “It’s where we go to take a break, breathe fresh air, and reconnect with nature. If we lose this space, it feels like we lose a part of our college life.”
This land is home to over 700 types of plants, 200 species of birds (including the Indian Peafowl), and animals like spotted deer and wild boars. The two lakes in the area—Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake—are important for helping recharge the city’s groundwater. But now, this valuable green space is under threat, as the Telangana government plans to turn it into an IT park. (thehansindia.com)
Legal Battles: Courts Step In
The controversy has led to a series of legal challenges:
Public Interest Litigations (PILs): Environmental groups like Vata Foundation and individuals like retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao have filed PILs in the Telangana High Court to save the land. They want the land to be recognized as a national park, which would give it protection under the Wildlife Protection Act. Petitioners argue that clearing the land goes against Supreme Court orders that protect forests.
High Court’s Order: The Telangana High Court temporarily stopped any development on April 2, 2025. The court will decide whether the land should be declared a “deemed forest.”
Central Government’s Stand: The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has called the Telangana government’s clearance efforts “illegal” and is demanding that they follow the Indian Forest Act and Wildlife Protection Act.
Why This Land Matters
Kancha Gachibowli is one of Hyderabad’s last urban forests and plays a key role in the city’s ecosystem:
Biodiversity: It’s home to over 700 plant species and 200 bird species, including the Indian Peafowl. The area also has rock formations that are over 2.5 billion years old.
Climate Regulation: The land helps reduce the urban heat in Hyderabad and serves as a natural carbon sink, which helps manage climate change.
Water Supply: The lakes in the area, especially Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake, help recharge groundwater and support the local wildlife.
Environmentalists are calling for the area to be protected as a national park, similar to the KBR National Park in Hyderabad.
The Government’s Development Plans
The Telangana government plans to auction the land to build IT infrastructure, expecting to raise ₹10,000 crore. The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) has promised to preserve some rock formations like Mushroom Rock and put in place an Environment Management Plan for sustainable development. However, many critics believe that these measures won’t be enough to protect the area’s rich biodiversity.
Protests and Public Outcry
The movement to save Kancha Gachibowli has gained strong momentum:
Student-Led Protests: Students from the University of Hyderabad have held hunger strikes and rallies to protect the land. Many of them were detained by police during protests on March 31, 2025, which sparked outrage over the use of excessive force.
Environmental Campaigns: Groups like Save City Forest have started petitions and social media campaigns to raise awareness about the ecological value of Kancha Gachibowli.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has dismissed the protests, calling them politically motivated and claiming that there is no significant wildlife in the area.
Wider Issues at Play
The Kancha Gachibowli controversy highlights several important issues:
Urban Growth vs. Environmental Conservation: This case shows the challenge of balancing the need for development with the need to protect our environment.
Accountability in Governance: There are questions about whether the government is following environmental laws and respecting court orders.
Impact on the Community: If the green space is lost, it could worsen Hyderabad’s urban heat and reduce the city’s biodiversity.
The fight to save Kancha Gachibowli is not just about one piece of land. It reflects the larger challenge of ensuring that India’s cities grow sustainably without losing their natural resources. While the government emphasizes the economic benefits of the proposed development, activists highlight the long-term environmental risks. As legal proceedings continue, transparency and accountability are crucial to ensure that the city’s future development is both green and economically viable.
The people of Hyderabad, especially the youth, have the power to shape the future. Let’s stay informed, involved, and make sure our green spaces are preserved for generations to come.