Before-and-after visuals from Kancha Gachibowli forest show the forest disappearing in just five days. Satellite images from March 28 and April 2 capture the rapid shift—from dense green cover to bare land dotted with bulldozers and construction vehicles.
Over 10,000 trees have already been cut, according to early estimates by analysts and activists. Aerial footage shared by Tech & Infra on Indian X supports this claim. The video directly challenges the Telangana government’s position that the area isn’t forest land.
Despite ongoing protests, tree cutting continued until the Supreme Court intervened. On April 3, it ordered an immediate halt to all tree felling. The court also asked the state to justify the urgency behind the project and explain if any environmental assessment was done.
📍Kancha Gachibowli, Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/5W6yxsD532
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) April 4, 2025
Images from March 28 and April 2 highlight large-scale clearing of land. The 400-acre green zone, located near the University of Hyderabad, has turned into a site of heavy construction with bulldozers and earthmovers digging up the area.
The site has been at the center of protests for weeks. Students and teachers from the University of Hyderabad have led the resistance against the State government’s decision to hand over the land to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation for development.
We Will Never Forget.
We Will Never Forgive.#SaveHyderabadBioDiversity pic.twitter.com/ePv1GMjel5— KTR News (@KTR_News) April 3, 2025
The land, once used as grazing ground, was home to over 17,700 trees. Activists estimate more than half have already been cut. Kancha Gachibowli’s ecosystem supported 734 species of plants, 220 bird species, 15 types of reptiles, and 10 mammals.
Student protests were met with heavy police deployment. Several demonstrators were detained or lathi-charged. As tree cutting continued despite public outcry, students and civil society groups filed multiple petitions in court.
key species found in Kancha Gachibowli
| Category | Species |
|---|---|
| Spiders | Hyderabad Tree Trunk Spider (Murricia hyderabadensis) – endemic to region |
| Birds | Indian Roller – state bird of Telangana |
| Oriental Skylark – known for its song | |
| Mammals | Spotted Deer – seen in small herds |
| Wild Boars – found in deeper forest areas | |
| Porcupines – shy, nocturnal | |
| Reptiles | Monitor Lizards – important for pest control |
| Bronze-Backed Tree Snake – non-venomous, native | |
| Amphibians | Common Indian Toad |
| Paddy Field Frog – active during monsoons | |
| Plants | Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma) – native tree |
| Ground Orchids & Wild Jasmine – among 700+ flowering plant species |
On April 2, the Telangana High Court orally directed the state to stop the deforestation. But destruction continued, with reports of shrubs being burnt and trees still being felled. On April 3, the Supreme Court took suo moto action. It barred any further tree cutting and asked the Chief Secretary to explain the urgency behind the project. It also demanded details of any environmental assessments conducted.
The University of Hyderabad Teachers Association and Save City Forest, a citizen-led collective, have demanded that the area be declared a bio-heritage reserve. They warned of rising temperatures, air pollution, and water scarcity if the forest is lost.
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