Wed Mar 12 07:47:28 UTC 2025: ## Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli Forest Faces Auction Threat
**Hyderabad, March 12, 2025** – A proposed auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, a vital biodiversity zone in Hyderabad, has sparked outrage among environmental groups and citizens. The ‘Save City Forests Collective’ has launched an online petition and called for the auction’s cancellation, citing the devastating impact on the city’s ecological balance. The petition, launched on Change.org, has already garnered nearly 5,000 signatures.
The land, described as one of the few remaining urban forests in the region, is home to a rich array of flora and fauna, including the vulnerable Indian star tortoise, listed on the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix I. A Wild Lens assessment, conducted by University of Hyderabad students, identified 237 bird species, spotted deer, wild boar, porcupines, and various reptiles among the inhabitants of the area. Two lakes within the 400 acres also support numerous migratory birds and wildlife.
The collective argues that the auction, orchestrated by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC), is not merely a real estate issue, but a direct threat to Hyderabad’s environmental health. The destruction of this green space, they warn, will exacerbate the city’s heat island effect, worsen air pollution, and compromise water security. The group labels the auction an “unethical monetization of public land” and a dangerous precedent for other ecologically sensitive areas.
The collective emphasizes the importance of sustainable development, urging the government to prioritize environmental preservation over short-term financial gains. They highlight the crucial role of urban forests in improving air quality, regulating climate, and recharging groundwater. The future of Hyderabad, they contend, depends on protecting its green spaces.
First Piper 