The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Telangana government for clearing forest land under the pretext of sustainable urban development, stating that no authority can “destroy forests overnight” in the name of progress.
The case pertains to nearly 400 acres in the ecologically sensitive Kancha Gachibowli area of Hyderabad a region that has seen rapid real estate and infrastructure expansion due to its proximity to the city’s IT corridor. The court had earlier halted all deforestation in this zone in April through suo moto proceedings.
Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai, heading the bench, said, “I am an advocate of sustainable development, but that does not mean you will employ 30 bulldozers overnight and destroy all forest land.” His comments came after visuals and reports showed large-scale clearance of green cover.
The state, represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, claimed it has since taken steps to preserve the remaining tree cover. However, the state government contested the use of the term “forest” for the land in question, stating in its affidavit that the area was never designated as forest land under official records.
Filed through advocate Sravan Kumar Karanam, the affidavit said the land had been earmarked in multiple state initiatives for sports, education, housing, and industrial purposes. It added that the land had strategic value and had never been officially classified as a forest. The government said greenery developed on the land only due to 17 years of legal disputes that stalled development.
However, a site inspection by a Telangana High Court registrar ordered by the Supreme Court found wildlife such as deer and peacocks on the premises, prompting the court to suspect it was indeed a forested area. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which advises on environmental matters, also recommended protection of the site under environmental laws.
The Telangana government argued that the 400-acre development was part of a larger area, much of which remains untouched and is being preserved for public use and educational institutions. It maintained that it is now taking “proactive” steps to protect remaining trees and ensure minimal disruption to the ecosystem.
The affidavit emphasized that Hyderabad has limited urban-scale land left for development and said the current initiative would boost employment innovation, and economic growth.
The court will now examine the state claims and review the affidavit in detail at the next hearing scheduled for August 13.