Kancha Gachibowli, a precious natural spot in Hyderabad, is at the center of a big argument. The Telangana government wants to sell 400 acres of this land to make money, but people who care about nature and locals are fighting back. They’re worried that cutting down this forest will ruin the city’s wildlife and weather forever.
Why This Place Is Special
Kancha Gachibowli is one of the last city forests Hyderabad has left. It’s a home for 237 kinds of birds—including ones that fly in from far away—and animals like spotted deer, star tortoises, monitor lizards, and rock pythons. It’s got two important lakes, Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake, where birds nest and water soaks into the ground to keep wells full. This forest keeps the air clean, cools things down, and helps the city have enough water.
It’s not just about nature—it’s got a cool history too! There’s a super old rock called Mushroom Rock, 2.5 billion years old, plus rare critters like the Hyderabad tree trunk spider and birds like Indian Hoopoes that you won’t find just anywhere.
What Could Go Wrong
Experts say chopping down this forest will heat Gachibowli and nearby areas—maybe by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius. The air will get dirtier, rain won’t soak in as well, and animals with nowhere to go might wander into neighborhoods. Over 700 plant types and 72 kinds of trees, like the marking nut tree that washermen use, could disappear. That’s a big hit to nature!
Plus, keeping this green space is way cheaper than trying to build fake ones later.
People Are Speaking Up
Folks are rallying online with #SaveCityForest to stop the sale. They say this isn’t just about 400 acres—it’s about saving Hyderabad for kids and grandkids. Climate fighter Ruchith Asha Kamal put it plainly: “This is about keeping Hyderabad livable. Selling it off for quick cash is a bad move.”
Near the University of Hyderabad, right next to the forest, protests are getting loud. Sad videos of birds and animals losing their homes are spreading fast online, making more people join the cause.
Court Steps In
After huge protests from students and nature lovers, the Supreme Court hit pause on the tree-cutting until April 7, 2025. They’ve told the Telangana government to explain what’s happening with the forest.
A Smarter Way Forward
Activists want the government to ditch the auction and make Kancha Gachibowli a protected nature zone. They say picking buildings over trees will hurt Hyderabad down the road. Instead, they’re pushing for plans that grow the city without wrecking its green spaces.
Kancha Gachibowli isn’t just some woods—it’s a lifeline for Hyderabad’s animals, weather, and history. As the tug-of-war between building stuff and saving nature goes on, keeping this forest alive is key to a healthy future for the city.
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