Hyderabad university protest: Satellite imagery shows rapid clearing of Kancha Gachibowli forest in days

Kancha Gachibowli

As students of University of Hyderabad protest against the state government over the Kancha Gachibowli land, satellite images from March 28 and April 2 show rapid clearing of forested land in just a few days.

The images were posted by an X user user @watARSHmelon , which were sourced from Sentinel-2 Satellite (EO Browser, @sentinel_hub), highlight the systematic deforestation executed over the weekend.

Between 28/03/25 to 02/04/25.. just 3 - 4 days lives of peaceful living beings has been turned upside down.. in its desperation.. while the court believed otherwise.. the Govt deploys dozens of heavy machinery to flatten a beautiful deemed forest land in #KanchaGachibowli.. pic.twitter.com/NR8Bf1Typj
Vata Foundation (@vata_foundation) April 2, 2025

Another X user @vata_foundation , an environment body, posted: "Nature WILL find its way. Homes of millions of living beings brutally wiped out just when summer has set in. For what??? A world class layout??? This is so not right.. but give nature a little time and this place will become a heaven again." Vata Found has raised an alarm over large-scale land clearing at the site.

Nature WILL find its way. Homes of millions of living beings brutally wiped out just when summer has set in. For what??? A world class layout???This is so not right.. but give nature a little time and this place will become a heaven again.#SaveKanchaGachibowli https://t.co/e3rkHExixR Vata Foundation (@vata_foundation) April 2, 2025

On Wednesday, a Telangana High Court bench heard two public interest litigations filed by retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao and Vata Foundation on Wednesday and directed Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy to ensure that no further destruction or cutting of trees should take place till Thursday in the matter pertaining to 400 acres of land at Kancha Gachibowli in Serilingampally mandal.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister for Forest and Environment Bhupendra Yadav has ordered the concerned department officials to immediately send a report on Kancha Gachibowli lands.

On Tuesday, Telangana BJP MPs had requested him to intervene in the matter of Kancha Gachibowli lands, saying that 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli are environmental and heritage lands.