The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF) has intervened in the controversy surrounding the Telangana Government’s decision to auction 400 acres of University of Hyderabad (UoH) land.
The Ministry has formally sought an immediate factual report and legal action against the alleged illegal felling of trees and destruction of wildlife in the Kancha Gachibowli Village in the Serilingampally mandal of Ranga Reddy district.
The MoEF, in an official letter addressed to the Telangana Government’s Additional Chief Secretary (Forests), raised concerns over the reports of destruction of vegetation by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC).
The Ministry said that multiple news reports and social media accounts have highlighted the destruction of biodiversity, including damage to lakes, unique rock formations and wildlife, particularly peacocks and deer, in the affected area. The intervention comes after widespread protests by UoH students, faculty and environmentalists who have termed the move an ecological genocide.
In its communication, the MoEF directed the state government to submit a factual report on the issue immediately and to take action under the Indian Forest Act, the Wildlife Protection Act, and Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam. It also asked the state government to ensure compliance with all environment laws and court orders to prevent violations.
The letter, signed by the Assistant Inspector General of Forests, S. Sundar, also emphasised that an action taken report must be submitted promptly.
Student leaders at UoH have welcomed the Union Ministry’s intervention but insisted that immediate steps must be taken to stop the destruction.
“We will not let this go down as another case of government overreach and environmental degradation,” said UoH Students’ Union President Umesh Ambedkar.
“Now that the Union MoEF has stepped in, we demand that the Telangana Government immediately cancel the auction and restore the land to the university,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Government has not responded publicly to the Union Ministry’s directive.
