Kancha Gachibowli Land Controversy Protest All You Need To Know

The auction of 400 acres of forested land in Kancha Gachibowli, Hyderabad, has sparked widespread protests, particularly among students of the University of Hyderabad. The Telangana government’s decision to monetize the land, which lies adjacent to the university, has raised serious concerns over environmental degradation, land ownership disputes, and a lack of proper ecological assessments. The issue has now drawn the attention of both the Telangana High Court and the Supreme Court, which have intervened in the matter.

Key Issues at a Glance

1. Reason Behind the Protests

• Initiated by Students of University of Hyderabad (UoH): Protesting against government’s auction plans.
• Claim: Students allege the land was originally part of the university’s 2,324-acre allotment in 1974.
• Denial: Telangana government disputes the university’s claim of ownership.

2. Background of the Land

• Original Allocation: The land was part of the land given to UoH in 1974 under the six-point formula post-Telangana agitation.
• No Title Transfer: Ownership not formalized via legal documents.
• Repeated Diversions: Over 800 acres taken over for other public institutions (e.g., IIIT, TIFR, sports facilities).
• 2004 Agreement: MoU signed for land swap—534 acres transferred in lieu of 396 acres elsewhere.
• Legal Battle: A sale deed was canceled in 2006, followed by court battles. Supreme Court upheld State’s ownership.

3. Environmental Concerns

• Rich Biodiversity: Area home to 233 bird species, 3 Schedule-I reptiles, 27 protected birds, and unique species like Murricia hyderabadensis (a spider endemic to this forest).
• Ecological Importance: Functions as a vital carbon sink and regulates local temperature and humidity.
• Legal Violation Alleged: No Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), no permission for deforestation taken.

4. Government’s Justification

• State’s Financial Crunch: Telangana faces a debt of ₹4 lakh crore, expected to rise to ₹5 lakh crore by FY26.
• Revenue Generation: Auction aims to attract investments worth ₹50,000 crore and create 5 lakh jobs.
• High-Value Location: Gachibowli is a prime IT hub, making the land commercially lucrative.
• Preservation Claims: Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) says it plans to preserve rock formations like ‘Mushroom Rock’ in the layout.

5. Legal and Political Developments

• March 30 Action: 50 earthmovers sent, east campus barricaded; triggered campus-wide unrest.
• Student Detentions: 53 detained, 2 arrested, several injured.

Court Involvement

• Telangana HC ordered temporary halt to tree felling.
• Supreme Court took suo motu notice on April 3; stayed all activity and sought explanation.
• SC ordered central team inspection, report due April 16.

Government’s Response

• Chief Minister formed a ministerial committee to consult all stakeholders and find a resolution.