Hyderabad: Telangana BJP chief and Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to immediately withdraw the auction process for 400 acres of government land in Kancha Gachibowli village, Serilingampally mandal.
The Telangana government, through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TIIC), plans to auction these land parcels as part of its resource mobilization strategy. However, Kishan Reddy has strongly opposed this move, citing serious environmental concerns.
Call for National Park Declaration
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Kishan Reddy demanded that both the 400 acres earmarked for auction and the adjacent 800 acres be considered for declaration as a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This, he argued, would help preserve the area’s rich ecological diversity and prevent further urbanization.
Ecological and Wildlife Concerns
The minister highlighted the severe threat posed to Indian star tortoises, a species protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. He also pointed out that the area is a biodiversity hotspot, home to 734 plant species and 220 bird species, including peacocks, migratory birds, spotted deer, four-horned antelopes, wild boars, pythons, and Indian star tortoises.
Moreover, the region features unique geological formations such as the Mushroom Rock, which has been studied and documented by experts.
Environmental Impact of Urbanization
Kishan Reddy strongly criticized the government’s plan, stating that transforming ecologically sensitive land into urban developments under the guise of resource mobilization is unacceptable. He warned that such actions could:
- Deplete groundwater resources
- Destroy natural habitats
- Threaten local wildlife
- Severely impact the city’s environment
He emphasized that although the 400-acre plot does not officially fall under the forest department’s jurisdiction, it is surrounded by dense greenery and serves as a crucial oxygen source for Hyderabad. Converting it into a concrete jungle, he warned, would result in irreparable environmental damage.
The demand to halt the auction has garnered support from local residents, environmental activists, and students of the University of Hyderabad, who have expressed concerns over the potential ecological disaster.