Kancha Gachibowli row: BRS files complaint with Forest Department against destruction of greenery

Demand legal action against officials responsible for the large-scale environmental damage in Kancha Gachibowli

Hyderabad: Senior BRS leaders, led by former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar, lodged a formal complaint with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)-Telangana, demanding legal action against officials responsible for the large-scale environmental damage in Kancha Gachibowli, a biodiversity-rich area within the University of Hyderabad (UoH) lands.

In their complaint at Aranya Bhavan on Wednesday, the BRS leaders accused the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) of violating environmental laws to facilitate real estate enterprise, leading to massive deforestation, displacement of wildlife and ecological degradation. They cited violations of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

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The BRS delegation raised concerns over the impact on endangered species, soil erosion, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. They stated that the State government was attempting to convert a pristine natural habitat into commercial real estate venture, ignoring the critical environmental role of the land.

Speaking on the occasion, Praveen Kumar said decisive action was crucial to uphold environmental laws and protect Telangana’s rapidly vanishing green spaces. He demanded for immediate cessation of all encroachment and destruction in the affected 400 acres, as well as a thorough investigation into those responsible for the illegal encroachment.

“We also demand for strict enforcement of environmental laws, including criminal action against violators and seizure of vehicles and equipment used in the destruction. We want restoration of the damaged ecosystem and strengthening of protection measures to prevent future encroachments, besides public disclosure of actions taken by the Forest department,” he said.