Students arrested at University of Hyderabad when they questioned the clearing of forest cover near East Campus near Mushroom Rock. Civil society and students have been protesting the Telangana government’s decision to encroach valuable green cover
at Kancha Gachibowli in the name of development
For over a month now environmentalists, researchers, civil society and students at University of Hyderabad have been protesting the proposed development works at the 400 acres in Survey No 25 at Kancha Gachibowli, Serlingampally Mandal. This was in response to the government’s decision to clear the land to develop a world class facility through APIIC. Despite the protests the government went ahead and the bids closed for the auction.
On March 24 the IT Minister D Sridhar Babu issued a statement which said that the government will ‘not touch even an inch of university land’ turned out to be a play of words when on March 30 – when the state is celebrating the Telugu New Year JCB vehicles were deployed to clear the bushes and green cover near the popular Mushroom Rock (which the minister had said would be protected). At least six students belonging to the Student Union were arrested when the students tried to question the TGIIC officials.
The land where the development works are being implemented through the Telangana Government Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited is one of the very few remaining urban forests in Hyderabad and is home to around 237 species of birds on the campus according to experts. Amongst them are the spotted deer, wild boars, star tortoises, Indian Rock Python. Vipers, Cobras, Bas, and Kraits.
In utter disregard for the massive protest from the civil society and the students, and the multiple studies that highlight the environmental and ecological significance of this diverse piece of land – the government is going ahead with its plans in the name of sustainable development and revenue generation.
In addition, it is trying to mislead people by making them believe that they are not going to come near the UoH land. In fact, it is indeed the government land that was allotted to University of Hyderabad many years ago. Hence there exists no clear distinction. Originally it was 2,324 acres of land that was allotted to UoH when it was established in 1974. Bits and pieces of this land has been allotted to various projects by successive governments.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s statement in the State Assembly that the area had no wildlife except for some foxes disrupting development appeared to be trying to whitewash over scientifically done studies and citizen’s’ demands.
On Sunday, the presence of the JCBs near the rock and green cover near the East Campus that the government (IT Minister Sridhar Babu) earlier assured will be protected – are indication of the real intention of the government.
When on March 30 the UoH students observed JCBs stationed and that the clearing of the bushes began to happen they questioned the activity and, the police used force and detained atleast six UoH students. A journalist, who was covering the protest is also said to have been detained despite showing his press card. This draconian attitude of the government is being widely criticised.
