In a recent move, the Telangana government cleared 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli despite protests and warnings by environmentalists, and students of Hyderabad University. The land that has been razed for an auction was situated in the Ranga Reddy district within the campus of the University of Hyderabad. The action may give up to Rs 15,000 crores as revenue to the government. It plans to come up with IT parks and urban infrastructure in the area which once teemed with life and greenery.
Research shows that this will lead to a crisis-like situation for the surrounding regions as it will disturb the ecological balance due to the razing of the forest. The forest contained 233 species of birds, 734 species of plants, and trees dating back centuries, and all of this was sustained without any external help.
The report further said,
Unlike most national parks and reserve forests, the animals are self-sustaining without any intervention. It costs nothing to maintain this green space but costs thousands of crores to create even the smallest version of it.
Among other animals and birds, it is the last home to Telangana state bird–the Indian roller and Murricia Hyderabadensis, a unique spider species found only in the forests of Kancha Gachibowli. The region not only sustained countless species but also preserved and nurtured the Hyderabad hillock.
The thought of destroying pristine lands like the KGF shows our unending quest for more where nature and development are not viewed as complementary. Many have come in support of students of Hyderabad University Who have declared a boycott of classes until the razing is stopped.
