SC gives six weeks to Telangana govt to submit restoration plan for Kancha Gachibowli forest cover

The Supreme Court has given the Telangana government six weeks to submit a restoration plan for the deforested Kancha Gachibowli area in Hyderabad, stressing that development must be balanced with environmental conservation and warning against unchecked destruction of forests.

Hyderabad: The Supreme Court on Wednesday pressed the Telangana government to come up with a holistic plan to balance development with environmental protection. The court gave six weeks for the State government to come up with a restoration plan while hearing a suo motu case on large-scale deforestation in Kancha Gachibowli area in Hyderabad.

According to legal platform Bar and Bench, a bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran reiterated that it was not against development, but stressed that it must be sustainable, with due care for forests, wildlife, and lakes.

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“Forests cannot be destroyed overnight with bulldozers,” the court had earlier cautioned, warning the State of stern action if the lost forest cover is not restored.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Telangana government, informed the bench that all tree-felling activities had been stopped and the State was working on a comprehensive plan for conservation alongside development.

“We want to come up with a much larger plan, striking a balance between the environment and wildlife and development,” he informed the court. He sought six to eight weeks to place the proposal.

The CJI welcomed the initiative, stating, “If you come with a good proposal, we will withdraw all (adverse observations) and give you a real compliment. The forest which has been destroyed has to be restored,” he said. In a lighter vein, he suggested that the government not drag it till November 24, which is his date of retirement.

Recording the State’s assurance, the court listed the matter after six weeks, making it clear that any development must incorporate compensatory and mitigating measures to safeguard the environment.