Residents Protest Telangana Government’s Plan to Sell Kancha Gachibowli Land
Residents of Gachibowli and environmental activists have started a social media campaign against the Telangana government’s plan to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. The government aims to raise funds through this sale, but many believe it will harm the city’s environment.
Activists argue that Kancha Gachibowli is an important ecological zone that helps regulate the climate. It is home to 237 species of birds, including migratory birds, as well as wild animals like the Indian Star Tortoise, Spotted Deer, Indian Rock Python, and Monitor Lizards. The area also contains Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake, which provide water and nesting grounds for many birds.
Experts warn that destroying this forest will increase temperatures, worsen air pollution, and reduce the city’s ability to absorb rainfall. It could also force wild animals into urban areas, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. The forest plays a key role in controlling climate change, improving air quality, and replenishing groundwater. Removing it could make Hyderabad’s summers hotter and worsen pollution and water shortages.
Climate activist Ruchith Asha Kamal emphasized that this issue affects not just the present but also future generations. “This fight is not just about 400 acres of land—it is about Hyderabad’s future, its people, and generations to come,” he said. Activists are using social media to highlight the land’s ecological importance and urge the government to cancel the auction.
He further stated that instead of selling the land for commercial purposes, the government should declare Kancha Gachibowli a protected ecological zone. He urged officials to recognize the long-term damage deforestation would cause and focus on sustainable urban planning.
