Students of the University of Hyderabad are protesting, citing concerns that the land is ecologically sensitive, rich in wildlife and also home to a water body. Several students were manhandled and detained by the police. | Photo Credit: @AskAnshul (X)
Mumbai: Nature lovers from Mumbai have shown their support to residents of Hyderabad, who are fighting to save the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli forest within the University of Hyderabad campus from destruction.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court, which took a suo motu notice of the protests, stayed further cutting of the forest till April 7. The court questioned the ‘alarming urgency’ to start work on the land and has asked the Chief Secretary of Telangana to submit a report answering specific questions.
Members of the Aarey Conservation Group, formed during the agitation against the Metro carshed inside the Aarey forest, have lent their support to the protestors in Hyderabad. “We have been asking people to file petitions in support of saving the forest. Many of us who were involved in the Aarey agitation and know the legalities are trying to help the Hyderabad group,” said Priti Bhonsale.
The protest in Hyderabad has received support from across the country. Citizens have formed an ‘India for Kancha Gachibowli Forest’, and a petition on change.org has received over two lakh signatures in support of protecting the forest
The Telangana government plans to auction the Kancha Gachibowli forest for the construction of an Information Technology centre.. Hyderabad residents are campaigning for the preservation of the urban forest, which is home to over 200 species of birds, 10 kinds of mammals, 15 varieties of reptiles, and over 700 types of flowering plants. The land belongs to the state government, which has said that it can claim areas of the university campus that are not used for academic purposes.
Arunya Jyoti, an environmental activist from Hyderabad, said the forest is part of the university campus, and it was left untouched to protect its biodiversity. “Kancha means grass, and it is a grassland landscape. There are deer, peacocks, and other animals. Migratory birds use the lakes and ponds in the forest. The forest has geological formations called the mushroom rock. The land belongs to the students, and the government should not touch it,” said Jyoti.
The Mumbai group said it is reciprocating for the help it received from other cities during the Aarey agitation. “Many youth from Hyderabad were involved in the Aarey protests in 2019,” said Amrita Bhattacharya of the Aarey Conservation Group.
