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On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed that “no activity of any sort,” except for the protection of trees, should be undertaken by the Telangana government.
Aaditya Thackeray and John Abraham. (File)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray and Bollywood actor John Abraham on Friday urged the Revanth Reddy-Telangana government to stop the “alarming deforestation activities” to develop IT infrastructure on 400 acres of land adjacent to the University of Hyderabad.
Thackeray urged political leaders across parties to come together to tackle the issue of climate change.
In his post on social media platform X, the former Maharashtra minister congratulated protestors who are fighting for “biodiversity in the 400 acres that were being cleared overnight” in Kancha Gachibowli near the University of Hyderabad campus.
Emphasising the need to save biodiversity, Thackeray said, “Biodiversity is crucial, and protecting it too must be seen as the development of the planet—and, more selfishly, the human race. This issue may not be as important to many of us in other states, but across our country, every patch of wildlife and greenery must not just be protected but expanded.”
Congratulations to those who are fighting for biodiversity in the 400 acres that were being cleared overnight.I sincerely hope that the Government of Telangana sees value in biodiversity and ensures protection of the said area.
Biodiversity is crucial and protecting it too,…
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) April 4, 2025
“Politically too, it may not be too relevant, but it’s only when we start seeing unbearable heat waves, flash floods, landslides, and the economic impact of climate change that we will realize the damage that has been done to the planet,” he added.
John Abraham’s Request To Reddy
The Bollywood actor also requested the Telangana government to scrap the ideo of developing the IT industry.
“Hon’ble CM @revanth_anumula Garu, request you to scrap the plan of clearing 400 acres of trees/forest in Kancha Gachibowli which serve as a green lung for the city & also habitat for numerous species of protected wildlife thriving inside it for decades. Clearing the trees will leave wildlife without a home and exacerbate man wildlife conflict. Please stop this 🙏🏻” he said on X.
Hon’ble CM @revanth_anumula Garu, request you to scrap the plan of clearing 400 acres of trees/forest in Kancha Gachibowli which serve as a green lung for the city & also habitat for numerous species of protected wildlife thriving inside it for decades. Clearing the trees will…— John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) April 4, 2025
The student groups and environmental activists have voiced opposition to the proposal to undertake development work at the site, citing ecological conservation concerns.
Supreme Court Orders Stay On Deforestation
On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed that “no activity of any sort,” except for the protection of trees, should be undertaken by the Telangana government on the land next to the university.
It also asked the Telangana government to explain the “compelling urgency” for clearing a large tree cover.
Calling tree felling in the state a “very serious matter,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih said the interim report placed before it by the registrar of the Telangana High Court depicted an “alarming picture.”
Earlier, the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to suspend all work on the 400-acre land parcel adjacent to the UoH, for a day. A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara was hearing a batch of PILs seeking a directive from the court to stop the uprooting of trees.
Meanwhile, the Telangana government has decided to constitute a committee of ministers to engage in discussions with the UoH executive committee, civil society groups, students, and other stakeholders to address and find a solution regarding the land parcel adjacent to the varsity, after the Apex Court’s directive.