Congress government’s environmental initiatives face scrutiny on World Environment Day

The Telangana government is facing criticism over tree felling near KBR Park, environmental concerns in Kancha Gachibowli and declining plantation targets under Vanamahotsavam. Activists, residents and policy experts have raised questions about sustainable development and the effectiveness of green initiatives

Hyderabad: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Congress government in Telangana has come under criticism over its environmental policies and implementation of green initiatives.

Even before public concern over the large-scale biodiversity loss in the Kancha Gachibowli forest had subsided, the government is now facing backlash for the felling of a large number of trees around Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park (KBR Park) as part of works being executed under the H-CITI project.

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Environmental activists and residents argue that while countries across the world are strengthening measures to expand green cover and promote sustainable development, nearly 2,000 trees were cut down around the park. The move triggered protests by local residents, including senior citizens and children.

Many of the trees reportedly felled had been planted around a decade ago during the previous BRS government’s greening initiatives. Citizens have questioned why the authorities did not explore large-scale transplantation of trees to areas with lower green cover before proceeding with felling operations.

The issue has also drawn judicial attention. Similar to the Kancha Gachibowli controversy, the Supreme Court intervened and ordered a halt to tree-felling activities around KBR Park. Earlier, the apex court had taken suo motu cognisance of environmental concerns in Kancha Gachibowli and stopped the destruction.

Following observations from the court, the State government indicated that it was considering an alternative proposal for the proposed Information Technology project in Kancha Gachibowli with greater emphasis on sustainable development. The land had initially been earmarked for an IT park.

Public policy expert Donthi Narasimha Reddy said the larger concern was the government’s apparent failure to integrate environmental protection into development planning. He argued that the administration continued to follow a project-centric development model, whereas the focus should be on sustainable development rather than solely on infrastructure projects and GDP growth.

Meanwhile, questions are also being raised over the implementation of the State’s plantation programme. After the Haritha Haram initiative was renamed Vanamahotsavam, critics have alleged that the programme has lost momentum.

Official targets for sapling plantation have steadily declined over the past three years, with authorities citing a shortage of available land for plantations. The Forest Department reduced the plantation target from 20.02 crore saplings in 2024 to 18.02 crore in 2025, and further to 16.06 crore saplings for the current year.

Although the government maintains that multiple departments continue to participate actively in the plantation drive, concerns persist regarding the extent of their involvement and the effectiveness of implementation.

Observers also note that community participation appears to have weakened. In previous years, colony welfare associations, resident groups and various community organisations played a significant role in annual plantation drives. However, that level of public enthusiasm was reportedly less visible during the last plantation season.