In the ongoing Kancha Gachibowli dispute at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, has found that the entire 2,374 acres of land, which the Telangana government intended to acquire for industrialisation, prima facie “appears to possess all the characteristics of a forest.”
“Prima facie, based on its natural appearance and known ecological richness, the entire area measuring Ac. 2374-02 guntas, including the subject land in Kancha Gachibowli village recorded as ‘Kancha Astabal Poramboke Sarkari’ and assigned to the University appears to have all characteristics of a forest,” said the report.
After referring to the report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the Supreme Court demanded a concrete restoration plan for the ecologically sensitive land in Kancha Gachibowli, or face jail time.
On Wednesday, Justice B.R. Gavai raised serious concerns about the wildlife in the area, echoing the CEC report, which stated that the land is rich in biodiversity and home to several protected species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
It also noted that, based on its natural features and ecological value, the area clearly resembles a forest. This could mean the land clearance violated key environmental laws and forest protection norms.
Four weeks were granted for the state to file its reply after Dr. Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the respondent-state, said that the report is “voluminous” and the state would take some time to respond.
The CEC verified the claims by initially examining “before-and-after photographs submitted by individuals and further analyzed biodiversity zones identified in the 2009 WWF University of Hyderabad study by overlaying them on a Google Earth map,” according to the report.
The CEC revealed that although the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government made recommendations in 1997, the Forest Department failed to act on them, prompting the committee to request a vegetation density survey by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
Acting on the CEC’s request, the FSI initiated its survey, and the Congress government in Telangana provided Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files—a file format used to display geographic data on platforms like Google Earth and Google Maps—on April 10.
The CEC report further noted that correspondence between the Telangana Chief Secretary and the CEC Chairperson confirmed that the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) had executed a mortgage deed for the land in Kancha Gachibowli.
“This mortgage was created in favour of Beacon Trusteeship Limited to secure non-convertible bonds issued by TGIIC under the ‘TSIIC Bonds 2024-25’ scheme, with a value of up to Rupees ten thousand crores. The mortgage involves the deposit of title deeds to establish a first-ranking exclusive security interest over the land, including any present or future structures and development rights,” said the report.
The CEC pointed out that Chilukala Kunta falls within the mortgaged land and argued that the state government’s actions raise serious concerns regarding the ongoing disputes over the land’s ownership, its ecological significance, and the potential forest-like characteristics currently being assessed by the Forest Survey of India.
“The manner in which TGIIC (Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation) cleared the land raises serious questions regarding both intent and procedure. There was no justifiable reason for proceeding without first preparing a detailed project report,” the CEC further added.
Kancha Gachibowli, a 400-acre land parcel, has found itself at the heart of a controversy in Telangana’s capital Hyderabad when University of Hyderabad (UoH) students protested against the Congress-led state government’s decision to call for bids to auction the 400 acres for IT and infrastructure projects.
Students accused the state government of taking over one of the few ‘lung spaces’ and ecologically important parts of the city.
The dispute over the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli forest area near Hyderabad Central University (HCU) dates back several decades, involving legal battles and environmental concerns.
The Hyderabad Central University claims that the 400 acres are part of the 2,324 acres allotted to it in 1975. However, the High Court ruled in 2022 that there was no legal document proving the transfer of this land to the university. The Supreme Court later upheld the High Court’s decision, confirming that the government owns the land.
In late March 2025, speaking in the Telangana Assembly, Revanth Reddy asserted that the land does not belong to the University of Hyderabad (UoH) and was originally allotted to a private entity, IMG Bharata, 25 years ago by the undivided Andhra Pradesh government.
“There are no tigers or deer in that area, but some cunning foxes are trying to obstruct development,” he remarked, dismissing environmental concerns.
However, students and environmentalists argue that the land is an ecologically sensitive zone. They claim it is home to over 455 species of flora and fauna, including peacocks, buffalo lakes, and mushroom rocks.
The Supreme Court has passed an interim order stopping the felling of trees in the 400-acre forest area by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), following protests by students and faculty members.
, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, has found that the entire 2,374 acres of land, which the Telangana government intended to acquire for industrialisation, prima facie “appears to possess all the characteristics of a forest.”){kind=link}