Hyderabad Forest Fire & Land Auction: How Telangana Govt’s Greed is Destroying Nature

Hyderabad’s Vanishing Green Cover: How Telangana’s Government is Destroying Nature for Profit

Hyderabad, once known for its balance between urban development and nature, is now witnessing an ecological disaster in the making. Recent wildfires and the government's push to sell off forest lands for commercial projects are setting the stage for irreversible environmental damage. The most recent controversy revolves around the Telangana government’s decision to auction 400 acres of the Kancha Gachibowli forest, a move that prioritizes revenue over environmental conservation.

A Tragic Loss for Hyderabad’s Biodiversity

The Kancha Gachibowli forest is more than just a patch of green. It is home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. This includes peacocks, wild boars, Indian rock pythons, spotted deer, and the endangered Indian star tortoise. Additionally, two crucial water bodies—Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake—support migratory birds and aquatic life.

The loss of this forest would mean more than just deforestation. It would lead to habitat destruction, increased human-wildlife conflict, and higher pollution levels in an already congested city. Forests act as the lungs of a city, absorbing carbon dioxide and purifying the air. With Hyderabad’s rising pollution levels, can the government really afford to destroy one of the last remaining green spaces?

Forest Fires: Natural or Intentional?

Telangana has recorded a shocking 13,497 forest fire incidents in 2024, a significant rise compared to previous years. Many of these fires have been concentrated in ecologically rich districts like Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem. While some fires may have been accidental, there are strong suspicions that others were deliberately set to clear land for commercial purposes.

Destroying forests through fire and then conveniently labeling the area as "degraded land" is a classic trick used by land mafias. It allows governments and corporations to argue that the land is no longer environmentally valuable, making it easier to justify auctions and development projects. If the Telangana government was truly concerned about preserving the environment, it would have taken strict measures to prevent these fires. Instead, it remains silent, allowing destruction to continue unchecked.

What Did Locals Do to Save Wildlife?

Despite government inaction, the people of Hyderabad have shown immense commitment to protecting their natural heritage. Activists, environmentalists, and local volunteers have mobilized to rescue animals affected by the fires, relocate displaced species, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving Kancha Gachibowli forest.

Several protest groups have emerged, holding demonstrations, filing petitions, and organizing online campaigns to stop the forest land auction. One petition on Change.org has already gained thousands of signatures, reflecting widespread public outrage. Yet, the government refuses to listen, dismissing these concerns as obstacles to "development."

Telangana Government: Selling Nature for Short-Term Gains

The Telangana government’s obsession with revenue generation is evident. The decision to auction Kancha Gachibowli forest is expected to generate nearly ₹10,000 crore—a tempting figure for a government more interested in real estate profits than environmental sustainability. But at what cost?

The consequences of such reckless actions will be long-lasting:

• Loss of biodiversity: Hyderabad’s flora and fauna, which include 315 bird species, 1,665 plant species, and 53 reptile species, will suffer irreversible damage.

• Rising urban heat: With fewer trees, Hyderabad will experience more heatwaves, increasing the risk of climate-related disasters.

• Water crisis: Deforestation leads to lower groundwater levels, worsening Hyderabad’s already critical water shortage problem.

• Increased pollution: Without natural green spaces to filter air pollution, Hyderabad’s air quality will continue to decline, leading to respiratory diseases.

Who Really Benefits from This “Development”?

The government argues that urban expansion and infrastructure development are necessary for progress. But let’s be honest—who really benefits from this land auction? Not the common people of Hyderabad. The beneficiaries will be big real estate firms, corporate investors, and politically connected businesses looking to profit from high-end residential and commercial projects.

This is not “development.” This is environmental destruction disguised as progress. Real development involves balancing economic growth with ecological responsibility. But the Telangana government seems to have abandoned this principle, choosing to serve corporate interests at the expense of the environment.

Time to Hold the Government Accountable

Hyderabad’s residents must not remain silent. The government’s reckless destruction of nature must be challenged through legal action, protests, and continued activism. If we allow this pattern to continue, soon, there will be no forests left, only concrete jungles and polluted air.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other opposition leaders must step up and expose the ruling government’s anti-environment policies. Unlike the Telangana government, the BJP has always emphasized sustainable development and conservation. It is time to push for stronger environmental laws that prevent state governments from selling forests for profit.

Why Is the Telangana Government Ignoring Protests?

Even after thousands of Hyderabadis protested, signed petitions, and filed lawsuits, the government shamelessly refuses to listen. Why? Because their priority is not the environment, not the people, but corporate profits.

1. Corporate Land Mafia Controls the Government: The real reason the state is so desperate to auction this land is clear—it’s a cash grab for corrupt politicians and their business allies. With a potential revenue of ₹10,000 crore, this land deal is one of the biggest real estate scams in Telangana’s history. Big corporations and land developers are lobbying hard, knowing they will make billions from luxury apartments, malls, and IT parks built on this stolen land.

2. False Claims to Justify Land Grab: The Telangana government falsely claims that this land is not forested and can be developed without harming the environment. This is an outright lie. The Kancha Gachibowli area is home to hundreds of species of birds, animals, and plants. Destroying it means erasing a vital ecological zone forever.

3. Deliberate Fires to Destroy the Land: There are strong suspicions that the recent wildfires in Telangana’s forests were not natural but intentionally set. Why? Because if the government allows these forests to be burned down, they can then claim that the land is barren and useless, making it easier to sell to real estate firms. This is a classic land mafia tactic—burn, destroy, sell.

4. Suppressing Public Voices and Legal Challenges: Even after environmental groups like Vata Foundation and Hyderabad’s student community filed Public Interest Litigations (PILs), the state government has refused to stop the auction. Why? Because they believe that public protests don’t matter, court orders can be ignored, and citizen voices can be silenced. This is the hallmark of a dictatorial government that cares only about money, not democracy.

Revanth Reddy’s Hypocrisy Exposed

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his Congress government promised during elections that they would protect Telangana’s environment and green spaces. Yet, the moment they came to power, they betrayed their own voters. Instead of planting trees and protecting forests, they are selling them off like disposable real estate.

This hypocrisy shows that the Congress party has no vision, no ethics, and no concern for Hyderabad’s future. Under their rule:

• Forest fires have increased

• Air pollution has risen

• Water levels are depleting

• Hyderabad’s green cover is vanishing

And yet, they dare to call this development? This is not progress; this is a government selling its own land for corporate bribes.

BJP Stands for Sustainable Development

Unlike the Congress government, the BJP has always advocated for balanced, sustainable development. The Modi government has taken major steps toward afforestation, sustainable urban planning, and environmental conservation. If the BJP were in power in Telangana, such a reckless land grab would never be allowed.

Time to Reject Anti-Nature, Pro-Corporate Governance. The people of Telangana must wake up. The Congress government is selling the state piece by piece, handing over forests, water bodies, and green spaces to the highest bidder. If this trend continues:

• Hyderabad will become a concrete jungle

• Water shortages will worsen

• Temperatures will rise uncontrollably

• Wildlife will vanish forever

• Final Call: Stop the Destruction, Save Telangana

• It is time for mass resistance. Telangana’s people must

✔ Protest aggressively against this government’s environmental destruction.

✔ Vote out this corrupt Congress regime in the next elections.

✔ Support BJP for responsible governance that protects both economy and ecology.

The Congress government is selling Telangana’s future for short-term profits. If Hyderabadis don’t act now, they will wake up in a polluted, lifeless city with no forests, no clean air, and no future. The time to fight back is NOW!

Conclusion: The Choice is Ours

The people of Hyderabad have a choice: either stand by and watch their forests disappear, or fight for their right to a clean, green, and healthy environment. The Telangana government may see forests as a source of revenue, but for Hyderabad’s citizens, they are a source of life. It is time to demand accountability, stop the destruction, and ensure that Hyderabad’s natural beauty is preserved for generations to come.