The controversy began on March 31, when Sabharwal retweeted what was called an AI-generated image shared by the Twitter handle “Hi Hyderabad.” The image depicted the iconic Mushroom Rock surrounded by bulldozers and wildlife, accompanied by a plea to protect Hyderabad’s biodiversity.
A Bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih heard the suo motu case regarding environmental violations. The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 15, granting Telangana four weeks to respond to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report. Additionally, the state’s wildlife warden has been instructed to explain steps taken to safeguard displaced animals.
In a public meeting in Haryana, Modi addressed the contentious 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land row, marking his first public reaction to the issue. He criticized the Congress-led Telangana government for its environmental policies, stating, “The Congress government in Telangana has not fulfilled any electoral promises.
Joining issue with the Chief Minister, she said “this is an absolutely false statement. I have not posted a single image or video that is AI generated. The media and the Telangana government should verify their facts before making such claims.” The controversy stems from ongoing protests led by students of the University of Hyderabad and environmental activists.
The Supreme Court has taken serious note of this alarming situation and converted the matter into a suo motu writ petition titled In Re: Kancha Gachibowli Forest, State of Telangana. The Court has directed the Chief Secretary of Telangana to respond to several critical questions, including the rationale for initiating developmental activities without completing mandated assessments under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.
The report also highlighted the presence of wildlife in the area, including peacocks, deer, and various bird species, emphasizing the ecological significance of the forest. Approximately 100 acres of the forest have already been destroyed, with a lake situated beside the deforested area serving as a habitat for deer and other wildlife.
The call is from the flutter of countless wings, the whisper of the wind through forests, and the chorus of creatures whose existence is intertwined with our own. Across the globe, wild spaces are fast disappearing under the pressure of urbanization. Are we going to be the same. Can Hyderabad afford to lose the precious green spaces still left out?
The ensuing legal battle stretched across years, culminating in a 2024 ruling by the High Court and the Supreme Court upholding the cancellation. With the land back in government hands, it was transferred to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) for redevelopment.
The disputed 400-acre parcel, located on the eastern edge of the HCU campus, has been a flashpoint since the auction was announced. Students have staged demonstrations, burning effigies of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and raising slogans like “Save HCU” to protect what they call a biodiversity-rich zone, home to rare flora, fauna, and the iconic Mushroom Rock
