We will go out of the way to protect the environment and ecology, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while ordering a blanket status quo on tree-felling in the 400-acre land in Hyderabad's Kancha Gachibowli..A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih also said that it will examine how to expand the area under tree cover."May be we will widen it. Let there be green lungs in the city like in Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park etc. We will go all out of the way for the protection of environment and ecology," the Bench remarked."In the meantime, not a single tree should be felled there," the Court made it clear.It also asked the State to examine how wildlife in the area can be protected."State has to see immediately how the wild animals be protected and let the state wildlife warden supervise this," the Court said.It directed the Wildlife Warden to take steps towards that end."In the meantime, we direct the wildlife warden of state of Telangana examine and take immediate steps needed to protect the wildlife affected due to deforestation in 100 acres," the Court said in its order..The case concerns a 400-acre parcel of land in Kancha Gachibowli village, which the State proposes to auction 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 over the last few days amid attempts to raze large parts of the land.The Supreme Court on April 3 took up the issue suo motu and passed an order staying further tree-felling.It also asked the State to answer whether there was any compelling urgency to undertake the developmental activity, including the removal of trees from the forest area.It also asked the State to clarify whether requisite permission was obtained for felling of trees. The Court further asked the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to personally visit the site in question and submit report by April 16.Pursuant to that order, the CEC submitted a report to the Court.When the matter was taken up for hearing today, Senior Advocate K Parameshwar appearing as Amicus Curaie, told the Court about how the land has been mortgaged to a private party."The entire land has been mortgaged to a private party now. The Chief Secretary is aware of it. This mortgage was created to secure non convertible bonds," he said.However, the Court said its focus in the case was in tree-felling and protection of forest cover and not on the mortgage."We are not on mortgage and all. We are only on how so many trees were chopped off without the permission of the State government. We are only on dozens of bulldozers and forests of hundred acres being destroyed. If you wanted to do something you should have sought proper permissions," the Bench remarked.Senior Counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the State government, said that the State will satisfy the Court "We are ready to answer this and much more," Singhvi said.He further said that the CEC report is voluminous and sought time to respond to the same.The Court allowed the same and granted four weeks to Telangana to respond."Pursuant to our order dated April 3, the CEC has inspected the spot and submitted a report. Dr Singhvi appearing for State says that CEC report is voluminous and thus needs time to respond. 4 weeks time is granted. Let State file reply," the Bench directed.It ordered that status quo be maintained in the meantime and not a single tree be cut for the time being. .[Read Live Coverage]
We will go out of the way to protect the environment and ecology, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while ordering a blanket status quo on tree-felling in the 400-acre land in Hyderabad's Kancha Gachibowli..A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih also said that it will examine how to expand the area under tree cover."May be we will widen it. Let there be green lungs in the city like in Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park etc. We will go all out of the way for the protection of environment and ecology," the Bench remarked."In the meantime, not a single tree should be felled there," the Court made it clear.It also asked the State to examine how wildlife in the area can be protected."State has to see immediately how the wild animals be protected and let the state wildlife warden supervise this," the Court said.It directed the Wildlife Warden to take steps towards that end."In the meantime, we direct the wildlife warden of state of Telangana examine and take immediate steps needed to protect the wildlife affected due to deforestation in 100 acres," the Court said in its order..The case concerns a 400-acre parcel of land in Kancha Gachibowli village, which the State proposes to auction 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 over the last few days amid attempts to raze large parts of the land.The Supreme Court on April 3 took up the issue suo motu and passed an order staying further tree-felling.It also asked the State to answer whether there was any compelling urgency to undertake the developmental activity, including the removal of trees from the forest area.It also asked the State to clarify whether requisite permission was obtained for felling of trees. The Court further asked the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to personally visit the site in question and submit report by April 16.Pursuant to that order, the CEC submitted a report to the Court.When the matter was taken up for hearing today, Senior Advocate K Parameshwar appearing as Amicus Curaie, told the Court about how the land has been mortgaged to a private party."The entire land has been mortgaged to a private party now. The Chief Secretary is aware of it. This mortgage was created to secure non convertible bonds," he said.However, the Court said its focus in the case was in tree-felling and protection of forest cover and not on the mortgage."We are not on mortgage and all. We are only on how so many trees were chopped off without the permission of the State government. We are only on dozens of bulldozers and forests of hundred acres being destroyed. If you wanted to do something you should have sought proper permissions," the Bench remarked.Senior Counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the State government, said that the State will satisfy the Court "We are ready to answer this and much more," Singhvi said.He further said that the CEC report is voluminous and sought time to respond to the same.The Court allowed the same and granted four weeks to Telangana to respond."Pursuant to our order dated April 3, the CEC has inspected the spot and submitted a report. Dr Singhvi appearing for State says that CEC report is voluminous and thus needs time to respond. 4 weeks time is granted. Let State file reply," the Bench directed.It ordered that status quo be maintained in the meantime and not a single tree be cut for the time being. .[Read Live Coverage]
