The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the Telangana government six weeks to submit a “good proposal” for the holistic restoration of the Kancha Gachibowli forest site, stressing that the state will have to replant uprooted trees as part of the plan.
A bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran said the forest area must be restored, reiterating that while the court is not against development, it must be balanced with environmental protection.
“Time and again, the court has observed that we are not against development but it has to be sustainable. While carrying out developmental activities, the interest of the environment and wildlife has to be protected by ensuring mitigating and compensatory measures. If the state comes up with such a proposal, we will welcome it,” the bench observed.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Telangana, said the government was working on a holistic proposal that would balance development needs with environmental and wildlife conservation.
The case stems from large-scale tree felling near the University of Hyderabad, which the apex court on May 15 described as prima facie “pre-planned”. At that time, the CJI warned that the state must choose between restoring the forest or facing the prospect of sending officials to prison.
The bench also questioned why the trees were felled over a long weekend when courts were closed. Taking suo motu cognisance of the deforestation on April 3, the Supreme Court ordered status quo, barring any further harm to existing trees. On April 16, it criticised the state’s “rushed” action and directed submission of a concrete plan to restore the 100 acres of deforested land to avoid “severe action” against top officials.
The matter will be heard next after six weeks, when the court expects Telangana to present its comprehensive restoration proposal.
