GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court has warned the Telangana government of stringent action, including imprisonment of senior officers, if a plan to restore deforested land in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli area is not submitted soon.
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According to a LiveLaw report, the court emphasised on Wednesday, April 16, that restoration of the green cover and protection of wildlife would remain its top priority. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih was hearing the matter concerning large-scale felling of trees in approximately 100 acres of land allegedly cleared for development.
The court also directed Telangana’s Wildlife Warden to immediately implement measures to protect displaced wildlife and maintain ecological balance, as the bench reiterated that not a single additional tree should be felled until further orders.
Expressing dismay over the authorities' claim that a number of trees were exempted under self-certification as per the WALTA Act, Justice Gavai questioned whether such certification could override the court’s 1996 order, which defined ‘forest’ by its dictionary meaning and prohibited unauthorised tree-felling.
Amicus Curiae K Parmeswar submitted that land had been mortgaged to a private party for ₹10,000 crore before tree felling began, raising concerns about private claims on the area. The CEC had also expressed fears of potential assertion by private entities over the land.
In response, the bench took serious note of these claims and reiterated its readiness to act under Article 142 of the Constitution to protect the environment. It stated that restoration of status quo is essential and asked the State to submit a plan for re-greening the 100-acre plot. Justice Gavai warned that failure to do so might lead to “temporary imprisonment” of officials, including the chief secretary.
Additionally, the bench questioned the urgency with which bulldozers were brought in during a three-day holiday in March. It highlighted the “tearing urgency” to clear land without completing the process of identifying forest land or obtaining environmental clearances.
The matter was posted for further hearing to May 15.
