Hyderabad: Kalapala Babu Rao, a retired scientist and lawyer, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Telangana High Court. He wants the court to stop the government from giving away 400 acres of forest land to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (TGIIC). The land is worth crores of rupees, and the government plans to sell it to TGIIC at Rs. 75 crores per acre.
Rao is concerned about heavy deforestation happening in Kancha Gachibowli, where 30 to 40 excavators are being used to clear the area. He says this is destroying important plants and animals in the forest.
The government, through TGIIC, wants to develop an international-level infrastructure layout on the 400 acres. They plan to sell plots in phases to raise money. The last date for submitting bids was March 15. Rao and other environmental activists only learned about this plan after news reports appeared on March 24.
Omar Farooq, the lawyer representing the VATA Foundation, an environmental trust, asked the court to stop the government’s order (GO 54) given on June 26, 2024. This order allows TGIIC to take over the land in Kancha Gachibowli, Serilingampally mandal, Ranga Reddy district, for IT development.
The High Court, led by Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Yara Renuka, reviewed the case on March 24. They issued notices to the government and TGIIC, asking them to respond to the PIL.
Rao argues that the government’s actions break a Supreme Court ruling that says forest land can’t be used for other purposes without a proper survey by an expert committee. This survey should follow the Forest Conservation Rules of 2023 and Wildlife Protection guidelines.
He told the court that student unions from the University of Hyderabad and environmental activists are protesting the government’s move. However, their voices are being silenced by the police. Rao also pointed out that different government officials have made conflicting statements. The Chief Minister said there are no deer or tigers in the area, while the IT Minister claimed two lakes in the region would not be touched.
Rao believes the government is trying to sell the forest land for money by turning it into plots. He asked the court to stop the use of JCB machines that are clearing rare plants and wildlife.
He also stated that the government does not have the legal power to give or change the use of any forest land, including the KG forest, without getting approval from the central government as required under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
