Telangana Government Faces Backlash Over 400-Acre Land Auction in Kancha Gachibowli

The plan of the Telangana government to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, opposite the University of Hyderabad (UoH), is charged with controversy and opposition from various groups, including students, environmentalists, and local residents.

Development Proposal by the Government

The area of 400 acres will be developed by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) for a world-class IT infrastructure, increasing connectivity and urban sustainable spaces. Officials stressed that major ecological features in the vicinity, namely Buffalo Lake and Peacock Lake, have been excluded from development. Moreover, attempts will be taken to save other significant rock formations like Mushroom Rock, going against the planned layout. 

Opposition by University Community and Environmentalists

The auction was condemned by the UoH students' union as eroding public educational land and jeopardizing the autonomy, biodiversity, and academic future of the university. This land parcel under contention has already been excised from the university for other purposes besides education, such as a bus depot and stadium. 

Environmentalists and locals describe the biodiversity of this area, with more than 700 species of flora, 25 species of mammals, reptiles, and about 200 species of birds. They insist that Kancha Gachibowli is one of the last urban forests left in the city of Hyderabad and plays a vital role in protecting the environmental balance of the city. 

Political and Social Mobilization

The controversy has gained political notoriety with protests staged by BJP MP R. Krishnaiah and students against the land auction. He has urged the state government to use any land available for the public, including government offices and schools and dwelling for the disadvantaged sections of society. He warned that if this auction proceeds, it will only result in denying land resources for future generations, urging the students to come out in larger numbers against this.

Public Campaigns and Legal Actions

Activists are also running social media campaigns under the headers "Save City Forest" and "OxygenNotAuction," calling on the government to reconsider the auction on environmental grounds. They demand an immediate retraction of the auction to halt any tree felling, a full biodiversity impact assessment, and the designation of the 400 acres as protected land. Given the tensions escalating, legal avenues have been discussed to see if an application can be made to the courts to curb the auction and protect the ecology and educational character of the land. 

As the situation unfolds, stronger pressure is being exerted on the Telangana government to harmonize its developmental activities with conservation.