The newly sprouting landscape of Hyderabad has finally reached its peak with Kancha Gachibowli, where development meets nature conservation. What began as a simple government initiative—promising a fortune in IT corridors—turned into a serious ecological and legal crisis, with the recent move to auction and develop forest land next to the University of Hyderabad (UoH) igniting protests and legal battles and further initiating a debate on the sustainability of urban growth in India.
What Is the Kancha Gachibowli Forest?
Kancha Gachibowli is one of the last remaining urban forests in Hyderabad; it is ecologically rich, inhabited by several bird species, small mammals, and reptiles, and unique rock rockforms, and it is situated in the middle of the city’s Financial District, spreading over more than 2,000 acres. A small portion was also originally allotted to UoH in 1974. Over the years, parts of this land have also gotten diverted to use for public infrastructure such as a bus depot and sports complex. However, the forest has never been established as a protected area in any official sense; that ambiguity is the core of the current controversy.
Government Development Plans
Around early 2024, the state government of Telangana proposed to auction 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli forested land to develop IT parks. According to government estimates, about ₹50,000 crore investments could be generated through the project that would promise up to 500,000 jobs. All this for the strategic location of the area (Indian Express).
The Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) divulged that the project would be eco-sensitive by preserving the great rock formations, including the mushroom rock. However, no Environmental Impact Assessment or clearance was conducted, thus triggering allegations of flouting norms.
Protests and Legal Intervention
Widespread protests erupted from UoH students, environmentalists, and citizens’ groups. In March 2025, government action mobilized about 50 earthmovers on-site to clear the land of Kancha Gachibowli, resulting in violent confrontation within campus and the arrest of more than 50 students. It turned into a serious escalation when the Students’ Union decided to call for an indefinite strike.
The case saw the filing of two Public Interest Litigations (PILs), resulting in deforestation being stayed by the Telangana High Court. The Supreme Court then took suo motu cognizance of the issue, terming it “alarming” in nature and deferring any further activity until the play out of a detailed environmental and legal review. By April 16, a central committee has been set up to submit a report on this (CNBCTV18).
Know about the consequences of deforestation here.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change voiced concerns regarding Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation clearing those 400 acres illegally at Kancha Gachibowli, Telangana. Through its letter dated April 2, 2025 the Ministry ordered state authorities to make a factual report while using environmental laws to pursue legal actions alongside ensuring all court rules stay in full compliance.
Below is the satellite image of Kancha Gachibowli forest near the University of Hyderabad.
What all has happened?
- Around 2 sqkm area cleared of trees between March 30th 2025 to April 2nd 2025
- Poilice using force on protestors, and students detained during the protests.
- Environment clearance under scrunity.
Ecological Concerns
Major areas of concern with respect to deforestation at Kancha Gachibowli are:
Loss in Biodiversity: Forests have rich diversity for well-developed ecosystems, which might get permanently damaged.
Removal of Carbon Sink: Urban forests help mitigate air pollution and climate change. Their presence helps in reducing urban heat and carbon footprints.
Groundwater and Soil Degradation: Removal of trees leads to groundwater siphoning and soil erosion.
Experts argue that the project contradicts the T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India (1996) Supreme Court ruling, which defined any land with forest characteristics as forest land, even if not officially notified.
Read about how climate change is affecting us.
Students and Citizens Respond
The indignation of students and citizens alike is vibrant. This Save City Forest movement has been spearheading this activism to proclaim that the area of Kancha Gachibowli should be earmarked as a national park. The activists have cited that other instances, like the KBR park of Hyderabad, might have been saved from needless encroachment because of its ecological relevance. They argue with special reference to the provisions: the Wildlife Protection Act and the Environmental Protection Act, wherein the act of deforestation, despite the absence of an EIA, is a gross violation.Â
A social media campaign, along with protests in solidarity from other universities, has kept fuelling the movement. Its roots are now spread all over the nation, giving serious consideration to this issue.
The Revised Proposal from the Government
In the wake of the protests, the government’s stance in Telangana changed. Now it proposes to develop Kancha Gachibowli as one of the largest eco-parks on 2000 acres of disputed land. It wants to relocate UoH to the outskirts of Hyderabad in a ‘Future City’ with a grant of ₹1000 crore for a new campus on 100 acres. But this plan has been rejected by students and faculty, calling it displacement under the guise of development (Times of India).
Statistical Information
Proposed land for auction: 400 acres
Expected investment: ₹50,000 crore
Jobs expected: 5 lakh
Planned area for eco-park: 2,000 acres
Relocation cost of UoH: ₹1,000 crore
Current forest cover in Hyderabad: Only around 9% of the city’s area, according to the Forest Survey of India (2021)
The arithmetic indicates just what magnitude of the project is involved and how grave could be the prospective ecological losses.
The Crossroad between Development and Conservation
The Kancha Gachibowli issue is an ideal representation of the ever-present dilemma of progress and conservation facing several fast-expanding cities in India. While one side of the spectrum emphasizes economic growth and job provision, the other end underscores environmental integrity in the long term.
In view of this crisis, there is an urgent need for policymakers to adopt a more holistic perspective that includes sustainable urban planning, transparent legal processes, and community engagement. The endowment of the forest as a protected green zone or national park can extend biodiversity conservation while allowing economic development of the periphery, conducive to the core ecosystems.
The next few weeks will prove crucial to not only Kancha Gachibowli’s fate but also urban forests throughout India, mostly riding on the Supreme Court’s review and the committee’s findings.
The writer believes awareness is the solution for change. Her comprehension in the field of ecology and environmental studies is impactful. With her knowledge, she had written much content for academic websites and well-known publishing platforms. Here, at BleedGreen, she urges us to share her wisdom of words to bring cognizant in the society for our green resources.
