Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) community is strongly opposing the auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. Now, BJP Members of Parliament (MPs) have joined them in criticizing the Telangana Forest Department and the Telangana Industrial Investment Corporation (TGIIC).
The main concern is that the land is rich in biodiversity and home to animals like peacocks and deer. The University believes the State Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), who is responsible for protecting wildlife under the Central Wildlife Protection Act, should be taking action. However, the CWW office has reportedly not responded, and students say it is ignoring its duty and siding with the state government.
BJP leaders have also raised legal concerns. Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, referred to a 1996 Supreme Court judgment which said that any land with a forest-like environment—even if it is private—can be treated as forest land under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. Therefore, the 400 acres in question should be seen as forest land, and any tree-cutting should need approval from the Central Government.
Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender said that the land originally belonged to the University of Hyderabad, which was given around 2,300 to 2,500 acres as part of promises made during the 1969 Telangana statehood movement. He criticized the government for trying to sell the land even though it previously admitted in court that the area has 700 species of plants and animals and plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. He accused the state government of trying to auction the land to pay taxes to the Congress leadership and promised full support to the UoH community.
Nizamabad MP Aravind Dharmapuri added that deer and peacocks reportedly died during bulldozer operations led by TGIIC with police support. He said such deaths are serious and should be investigated under the Wildlife Protection Act. He also mentioned that BJP MPs plan to meet with the Union Environment and Forest Ministry to file a formal complaint and demand urgent action.
