The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Telangana government over deforestation at Kancha Gachibowli in Hyderabad, an area that has recently witnessed protests by students and environmental activists against tree-felling. The Bench criticised the government for allowing what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to clear forest land during a long weekend, describing the act as pre-planned.

Photographic evidence of the bulldozers at work was cited by the court, which stated that the timing and execution indicated forethought rather than coincidence.

Forest restoration or temporary imprisonment

Taking a firm stand on environmental conservation, the court instructed the state to initiate immediate steps to restore the damaged forest area. It warned that failure to comply could result in the temporary imprisonment of at least six officials responsible for the act.

The court highlighted that approximately 60 per cent of the affected forest comprised moderately to heavily dense cover, underscoring the ecological damage caused by the clearance.

FIRs against students not quashed

The Bench also declined to entertain a plea seeking the quashing of FIRs filed against students who had exposed the incident. The court advised the petitioners to approach the relevant legal forums for relief.

 

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 23.