Restore forest at Kancha Gachibowli or send officials to jail: Supreme Court warns Telangana

The Supreme Court on Thursday warned the Telangana government of stern action if they do not make amends for the large number of trees felled recently at Hyderabad's Kancha Gachibowli..The Bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih today told the State authorities to either restore the lost forest cover or face consequences."It is up to the State whether it wants to restore the forest or not. The entire issue was that the benefit of a long weekend was taken and thousands of trees were felled. Anyways, State has to decide whether to restore the forest or be prepared for its officers to be sent to jail," CJI Gavai orally said. .State has to decide whether to restore the forest or be prepared for its officers to be sent to jail.Supreme Court.The Court was hearing a suo motu case initiated in the wake of large-scale felling of trees by the Telangana government at a 400-acre parcel of land in Kancha Gachibowli village. The tree felling was undertaken as part of a plan to auction the land through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) to develop IT infrastructure.However, the move is being protested on grounds that the land comprises forest land. Those opposing the plan are arguing that the area is an eco-sensitive zone which serves as the ‘lungs’ of Hyderabad city.Among those who registered strong opposition to the move were students from the nearby University of Hyderabad, who have clashed with the police amid attempts to raze large parts of the land..On April 3, the Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the issue and passed an interim order staying further tree-felling. It also asked the State to answer whether there was any compelling urgency to undertake the proposed developmental activity, including the removal of trees from the forest area.The State was also asked to clarify whether requisite permission was obtained for felling the trees.Moreover, the Bench directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) constituted to assist the Supreme Court in complex environmental matters to personally visit the site and submit a report.In an ensuing hearing that took place on April 16, the Court remarked that it would go out of its way to protect the environment and ecology, while ordering a blanket status quo on tree-felling at the 400-acre land.The matter will be heard next on July 23.Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared today for the Telangana government. Senior Advocate K Parameshwar appeared as an Amicus Curiae..[Read Live Coverage].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.