Supreme Court: In the Kancha Gachibowli forest matter, the division bench of BR Gavai and AG Masih, JJ. stayed the tree felling in Telangana’s Kancha Gachibowli forest area located near the Hyderabad Central University campus, where deforestation was being carried out for IT infrastructure development.
The Bench directed the Registrar of the Telangana High Court to inspect the site and submit a report by 3:30 PM today. Additionally, the Chief Secretary of Telangana has been instructed to ensure that no further tree felling takes place until further orders. The matter is scheduled for a hearing at 3:45 PM today.
The Court directed Chief Secretary of State of Telangana to ensure that until further orders are passed by this Court, no felling of trees be permitted in Kancha Gachibowli forest area.
The Court took cognizance of newspaper reports that depict widespread deforestation in the Kancha Gachibowli forest. The reports indicate that a large number of trees have been felled, allegedly taking advantage of the long weekend. It was also noted that the forest houses eight species of scheduled animals, raising further environmental concerns.
The Bench, however, clarified that it has not stayed the proceedings before the Telangana High Court.
Source: Press
