Supreme Court Halts Tree Felling in Telangana
Police Beat Protesting Students Days Before Court’s Intervention
April 3, 2025
Representative image
Days after protesting students of University of Hyderabad were lathi-charged, the Supreme Court on April 3 ordered the State of Telangana to halt all developmental activities in the Kancha Gachibowli area of Hyderabad, citing large-scale felling of trees and environmental concerns.
A bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih issued the directive while registering a suo motu case on the matter, stating that no further activity, except the protection of existing trees, shall take place until further orders, as reported by LiveLaw.
The Court’s decision was prompted by a report submitted by the Telangana High Court's Registrar (Judicial), which revealed extensive development activities in the region. The report mentioned the large-scale destruction of trees across hundreds of acres, with heavy machinery, including JCBs, being used to clear the forested land. Pictures accompanying the report showed peacocks and deer fleeing from the area, suggesting significant disruption to local wildlife.
The Court noted that prima facie evidence indicated the presence of a forest inhabited by wild animals in the affected region.
In its interim order, the Supreme Court stayed all tree-felling activities and directed the Chief Secretary of Telangana to provide detailed explanations regarding the urgency of the developmental activities and compliance with environmental regulations.
Specifically, the Court demanded an affidavit addressing whether the State had obtained Environmental Impact Assessment certification, requisite permissions from forest authorities, or approvals under relevant local statutes. The affidavit must also clarify the purpose of the developmental work, the composition of the committee involved in forest identification, and the handling of felled trees.
The Court referred to its March 4 order, which warned State Chief Secretaries of personal liability for failing to establish committees to identify forest lands. It also cited its Feb. 3 order prohibiting States from reducing forest areas unless compensatory land was allocated for afforestation.
On March 31, protests erupted in University of Hyderabad over the state government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, which students and activists claimed is vital for biodiversity and ecological balance. According to reports, several students were detained during the protests, and at least one journalist was arrested while documenting the events.
The Telangana government asserts its legal claim over the land, while students and environmentalists call for its preservation as a “lung space” for the region.
“Lung space” refers to areas within urban or semi-urban settings that are preserved as green, open spaces to enhance environmental health and quality of life. These spaces, such as forests, parks, or undeveloped natural land, help maintain ecological balance by improving air quality, reducing pollution and providing habitats for wildlife. They act as the “lungs” of a city by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Further, lung spaces offer recreational opportunities and promote mental well-being for residents, making them essential for sustainable urban development.
Student protesters argue that the government’s move is motivated by profit rather than public interest. The auctioning of the land has been linked to plans for industrial and IT infrastructure development.
