Kancha Gachibowli Forest at Risk: Deforestation in Hyderabad

 

The Green Heart of Hyderabad is Bleeding—and No One is Listening

In the concrete chaos of Hyderabad’s rapid development, there once existed a quiet, emerald refuge—Kancha Gachibowli Forest, a 400-acre patch of biodiversity, clean air, and peace. Today, that forest is being razed, tree by tree, by the very government meant to protect it.

The Telangana government has launched an aggressive deforestation drive, claiming it’s for IT infrastructure expansion. What they're cutting down isn’t just forest—it’s hope. It's the future. It's our right to breathe.

This isn’t just a story about trees. It’s about a vital urban ecosystem under threat, a government ignoring its citizens, and a city rising up to fight back.

Bulldozers in the Forest: What’s Happening in Kancha Gachibowli?

In March 2025, heavy machinery rolled into the Kancha Gachibowli area, tearing down hundreds of native trees—many decades old—without transparent environmental clearances. The plan? Convert this green haven into a hub for IT development.

But at what cost?

• Over 400 acres of forest land destroyed

• Home to over 120 species of birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals

• Disrupted natural groundwater recharge zones

• Loss of urban heat buffers that protect Hyderabad from soaring temperatures

This is not progress. This is environmental vandalism in the name of development.

The Disputed Story: What’s Really Happening at Kancha Gachibowli?

The controversy surrounding the Kancha Gachibowli Forest in Hyderabad is not just a tale of trees being cut—it's a deep-rooted conflict between urban development, environmental protection, and government accountability.

At the heart of this environmental flashpoint lies a disputed land use narrative: Is it protected forest land, or is it “vacant land” available for infrastructure projects?

 Government’s Position: “Development for Progress”

The Telangana government and associated real estate developers claim the area is earmarked for infrastructure expansion, including road widening, IT park development, and housing projects. Officials argue that:

• The land is classified as non-forest or government land

• Master plans and urban zoning allow for construction in this region

• Development is needed to support Hyderabad’s status as a growing IT and business hub

However, activists and ecologists challenge this narrative with data and history.

 Environmentalists’ Stand: “This Is Legally Forest Land”

Environmental groups, local residents, and university experts claim:

• The area is part of the Southern Ridges eco-sensitive zone, rich in biodiversity

• Satellite imagery, government records, and botanical surveys prove dense green cover and natural forest characteristics

• There was no transparent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or public consultation before the deforestation began

• The forest is home to dozens of bird, butterfly, and native plant species, and helps in groundwater recharge

They argue the ongoing destruction violates India’s Forest Conservation Act, the Wildlife Protection Act, and even local environmental policy frameworks.

 The Gray Area: Ambiguity and Legal Loopholes

What makes this issue more volatile is the lack of clarity in land classification:

• Maps from different agencies contradict each other

• Revenue land vs. forest land definitions are often manipulated to serve different agendas

• There’s no clear boundary demarcation, making it easy for developers to exploit loopholes

This has led to a wave of Right to Information (RTI) applications, legal petitions, and demands for an independent environmental audit.

 Citizens Speak Out: “We Were Not Consulted”

Local residents, students from University of Hyderabad, and concerned citizens say they were never informed or consulted about these development projects. They feel betrayed by the lack of transparency and public participation, especially for a project that impacts air quality, water security, and mental well-being.

Why Kancha Gachibowli Matters More Than Ever

Let’s be clear: this fight is about more than just saving a few trees. It’s about protecting one of Hyderabad’s last surviving urban forests—a priceless ecosystem that supports life, health, and climate balance in one of India’s fastest-growing cities.

 1. Hyderabad’s Lungs: A Natural Air Purifier

The Kancha Gachibowli forest plays a critical role in air quality regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂), trapping harmful pollutants, and releasing fresh oxygen. As Hyderabad grapples with increasing air pollution due to urban sprawl and vehicle emissions, this forest acts as a natural filter, improving air quality for nearby communities.

 2. A Groundwater Recharge Zone

Beneath the surface, this green zone helps recharge Hyderabad’s depleting aquifers. Forested areas naturally allow rainwater to seep through the soil and replenish underground water tables, making Kancha Gachibowli a lifeline during dry seasons and an essential part of the region’s water sustainability strategy.

 3. Urban Climate Regulator

Scientific studies show that forested urban areas can lower surrounding temperatures by 2–3°C. As Hyderabad experiences rising heatwaves and extreme weather, this forest serves as a microclimate stabilizer, mitigating the urban heat island effect and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

 4. A Biodiversity Hotspot

Despite being within city limits, Kancha Gachibowli is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including migratory birds, native plant species, and small mammals. It acts as a natural wildlife corridor, supporting endangered and local species in an otherwise concrete-dominated landscape. Destroying it could lead to permanent ecological imbalance.

 5. A Sanctuary for Mental Well-being

Thousands of residents, students, and professionals visit the forest for morning walks, bird watching, and mental rejuvenation. Green spaces like this have been scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. In a tech-heavy city like Hyderabad, this forest is nature’s therapy room—free, healing, and irreplaceable.

The People Fight Back: Hyderabad Unites to Save Its Forest

The reaction was instant—and explosive. Environmental activists, university students, nature lovers, and concerned citizens poured into the streets and onto social media to protest the destruction.

Protest Highlights:

• Multiple sit-ins and candlelight vigils at the forest site

• Students from University of Hyderabad, which borders the forest, organized marches

• Hashtags like #SaveKanchaGachibowli, #TelanganaDeforestation, and #HyderabadEcoProtest began trending

• Online petitions gained over 1,00,000 signatures in less than a week

This is no longer a fringe concern. It’s a state-wide environmental movement.

Legal Battles Begin: High Court & Supreme Court Step In

As outrage escalated, environmental lawyers and citizens filed Public Interest Litigations (PILs). The response from the judiciary was swift:

Telangana High Court Order (April 2, 2025)

• Ordered the government to immediately halt tree felling and use of earth movers

• Questioned the absence of required environmental clearances

• Stated that the forest may fall under protected forest land, making any alteration illegal

Supreme Court Intervention (April 3, 2025)

• Took suo motu cognizance of the matter

• Termed the deforestation drive “alarming” and “ecologically damaging”

• Ordered a complete stay on further deforestation in Kancha Gachibowli

• Held the Telangana Chief Secretary personally accountable for further violations

These are not just legal victories—they're moral wins for every Indian who believes in the right to clean air, water, and a connection to nature.

 What’s At Stake: From Despair to Determination

Be the Voice for Kancha Gachibowli – Before It’s Too Late

If you’ve ever felt calm after walking through a forest trail, or breathed deeply after a monsoon rain, then Kancha Gachibowli is your forest too. This green sanctuary isn't just for wildlife—it’s for the soul of the city.

As this ancient forest faces the axe, the question is no longer “Who will fight for it?”—it’s “Will you join the fight?”

Environmental justice begins with everyday people raising their voices.

 What You Can Do to Help Save Kancha Gachibowli

1.  Visit the Forest – See It to Believe It

Experience the rich biodiversity, natural trails, and serene silence that only an urban forest in Hyderabad can offer. Seeing the forest firsthand helps build a personal connection to what’s at risk—and what’s worth fighting for.

This isn’t just empty land—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem.

2.  Amplify the Message Online

Use the power of your voice and digital reach. Share videos, images, and facts about the forest using high-visibility hashtags such as:

• #SaveKanchaGachibowli

• #UrbanForestHyderabad

• #HyderabadGreenFight

• #EcoJusticeNow

The more awareness we create, the harder it becomes for decision-makers to ignore.

Digital activism is modern-day resistance. Every share counts. 

3.  Write to Government Officials and Urban Planning Authorities

Demand:

• Immediate legal protection for Kancha Gachibowli

• Transparent environmental impact assessments

• Prioritization of green spaces in Hyderabad’s urban development plans

Your voice as a citizen holds power—especially when thousands raise it in unison.

Change often starts with one strongly written letter.

4.  Volunteer for On-Ground Initiatives

Get involved with local environmental NGOs and citizen-led forest conservation efforts. From clean-up drives and tree-planting campaigns to organizing awareness walks, every action contributes to protecting this green gem.

Community action builds lasting impact.

5.  Donate or Fundraise for the Cause

Support organizations and activists working tirelessly to save Hyderabad’s urban forests. Your contributions help:

• Fund legal battles

• Create public awareness campaigns

• Equip volunteers with resources

Even small donations can plant big seeds of change.

 The High Cost of Destruction

Destroying Kancha Gachibowli is like setting fire to your own oxygen mask. Once gone, the damage will be irreversible—affecting everything from public health to climate resilience to water security.

Development or Destruction? Hyderabad Must Choose Wisely

No one is against development. But development that destroys ecosystems, displaces wildlife, and puts future generations at risk is not progress—it’s regression.

Telangana needs smart, sustainable planning, not reckless land grabs in the name of growth. Urban forests like Kancha Gachibowli are irreplaceable. Once gone, they’re gone forever.

For further reading and to stay updated on this issue, consider the following resources:

• Supreme Court stays clearing of 400-acre green cover near Hyderabad University

• Telangana deforestation: 'One of world's biggest eco parks' planned at Kancha Gachibowli

Related Reading: Threads of Despair – A Village Caught in Fashion’s Pollution

Environmental degradation isn’t confined to forests—it’s woven into the very fabrics we wear. In our article, Threads of Despair: A Village Caught in Fashion’s Pollution, we explain how unchecked industrial activity in the fashion industry has turned once-thriving rural communities into ecological disaster zones.

From toxic wastewater polluting rivers to health crises in farming families, the story reveals the devastating cost of ignoring environmental justice.

Let’s Not Be the Last Generation to Know What a Forest Feels Like

We often think heroes wear capes. But sometimes, they wear dusty shoes and carry water cans to nurture a dying sapling. Sometimes, they’re kids with posters, or mothers signing petitions, or you—reading this blog.

Kancha Gachibowli Forest still stands. Not as tall. Not as proud. But it still stands.

Will you stand for it?

• Comment below if you’ve ever visited an urban forest or want to join the movement.
• Share this article to let Hyderabad—and the world—know what we stand to lose.
• Tag a friend who cares about the environment. Let’s make this green fight go viral.