Kancha Gachibowli land issue: Telangana High Court posts case for hearing

Kalapala Babu Rao filed the writ plea seeking a court direction to declare the State’s action in razing 400 acres of forest land as unlawful

Hyderabad: The PIL Bench of the Telangana High Court comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara posted for hearing the case pertaining to the proposed act of the State government in putting up 400 acres of land at Kancha Gachibowli in Serilingampally mandal for auction through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).

Kalapala Babu Rao, a retired scientist from the twin cities filed the writ plea seeking a court direction to declare the State’s action in razing 400 acres of forest land, in pursuance of GO Ms No 54 dated June 26, 2024 issued by the Revenue department, as unlawful and in violation of the Forest Conservation Act 1980.

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The petitioner also complained about the inaction of authorities in not constituting an Expert Committee under Rule 16(1) of the Forest Conservation Rules 2023 for the preparation of a consolidated record of forest lands including forest like areas as unlawful, arbitrary and unconstitutional.

Further contentions were raised stating that the State was acting in violation of the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case of Ashok Kumar Sharma versus Union of India.

He also alleged that the State’s actions were disastrous, and sought court directions to declare the forest land measuring Ac 400-gts in Sy No 25, Kancha Gachibowli village as a National Park under the Section 35 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.