‘Save Kancha Gachibowli’- Supreme Court nattily criticizes Telangana government
‘Save Kancha Gachibowli’- Supreme Court nattily criticizes Telangana government
Digital Desk: The Telangana government was strongly chastised by the Supreme Court for the "rushed" destruction of 100 acres in the ecologically fragile Kancha Gachibowli area near Hyderabad Central University.
The court, presided over by Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih, ordered a restoration plan within four weeks to repair the environmental damage caused by the removal of 400 acres for IT infrastructure expansion.
The bench warned that failure to comply would result in "severe action," including possible jail for the Chief Secretary and other officials. The court prohibited further tree chopping, emphasizing environmental conservation and ordering the Telangana species Warden to protect the damaged species.
The Telangana government's operations, which were carried out without legal authorization, violated a 1996 Supreme Court decision, the panel stated.
The Central Empowered Committee's assessment emphasized the ecological sensitivity of the site, refuting the state's contention that it was not forest land. The court's involvement came after protests by University of Hyderabad students and environmentalists.
The lawsuit is due for a second hearing on May 15, with the state needing to justify its actions and produce a detailed restoration plan.
