The struggle between nature and ambitions of the modern world is playing out in real time in the forests of Telengana. For generations these forests have not just served as a piece of land but a home to so many people. These forests are not just a cluster of trees for these people; they are cradles for thousands of lives who have lived lovingly with nature. Yet today, these forests are threatened by the march towards “progress”.
Let's rewind a little.
Telangana has a long-standing relationship with its forests. There are many tribes, like the Gond, Lambadas and Chenchus, who lived in these forests and relied on it for food, medicine and shelter. They saw the forests as sacred and lived in harmony with nature.
Under the rule of the Nizams, forests weren’t relatively commercialised, and while there was some centralised control, the rights of the natives weren’t stripped aggressively. Under the Nizam’s, the forests were protected for hunting reserves, but despite this, the communities had some access.
During the colonial era, the Indian Forest Act classified forests, restricted access and even criminalised tribal traditions. These forests were being cleared for timber, to create railways. It was being managed strictly to gain revenue and not to create welfare. This led to tribal resistance which was usually brutally suppressed.
In the post-colonial era, similar practices continued.
Forests departments took over the resources of the place, and large areas of land were cleared for mining and irrigation projects, which led to wide spread displacement of the natives. Projects like Sriram Sagar, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Polavaram displaced thousands and swallowed acres of forest land. Open mining in some districts led to deforestation and pollution. The urbanization in Hyderabad extended its claws into the surrounding green areas.
But enough of the history of the forests in Telangana; let's look into what is happening currently.
The Telangana government wants to auction 400 acres of land of Hyderabad University. They want to use this area for the creation of an IT park. This decision led to various protests from students and environmentalists who expressed concern about the deforestation and ecological damage this would cause.
Beginning on March 30 2025, the state deployed machines to speed up this deforestation process. Satellite images confirmed the rapid clearing up of this vast greenery. This created public outrage amongst the people, and various citizens protested against this, which ultimately led to detentions and lathi charges, which caused around 20 injuries.
Beyond its ecological value, this forest area holds immense significance, especially for the academic community of the University of Hyderabad. The vast span of beautiful, lush forested areas isn’t just a patch of land for them; it’s woven into the daily life of the students there and of course, the local communities.
For generations of students of the university, this forest has served as a protest ground, natural classrooms, and a getaway from their academic pressures. While the forests hold deep symbolic meaning for the academic community, its more deeper significance lies in their relationship with the local communities – the indigenous people, for whom the land served as a home. For many of these people, the forest is not an aesthetic escape in times of stress, it’s their land, their home, the land of their ancestors. Firewood, medicinal herbs, and wild produce are just some of the things that the forests provide them, supporting traditional practices and local knowledge systems that have been passed down for centuries. Proposals to “beautify” this land for economic development would lead to the widespread displacement of these innocent folks.
Let’s talk a bit about the voiceless victims of this disaster- the animals. The viral video of a peacock crying showcases the jarring image of distress and displacement that these species go through when forests are being chopped off. Peacocks, deer, monitor lizards, and a variety of native birds and animals live in these forests. Deforestation of these vast acres of lush forested lands would lead to the destruction of their food sources and their home. This displacement would cause immense suffering to these voiceless, innocent creatures. Loud construction, habitat fragmentation, and increased human presence can cause panic and disruption in animal behaviour.
Telangana High Court issued an interim stay on the tree-felling activities while the Supreme Court took sou motu cognisance on the matter and expressed concern over the “alarming” deforestation, halting all the activities until further notice.
All of this led the Telangana government to scrap its initial idea of creating an IT park; instead, it proposed creating the world’s largest eco-park. To make this happen, the government proposed shifting the entire University of Hyderabad to the outskirts of Hyderabad, where they are making a “future city”.They said they would allocate 100 acres of land for the new campus and would spend 1000 crores for its development. This move is criticised as it is logistically unfeasible and disruptive; they are relocating a huge established academic institution and calling it “progress”.
The Supreme Court has issued a directive to halt all activities until proper assessment and approvals are obtained. The court has also asked for an explanation from the chief secretary of the state regarding the urgency behind the deforestation efforts.
In response to all of this, the Telangana government announced the formation of a committee consisting of ministers with the University of Hyderabad‘s executive committee to resolve this issue and chart a way forward.
As of now the proposal of the eco-Park remains in flux while there are several legal proceedings taking place regarding the issue. The University of Hyderabad land conflict is still a subject of intense debate and legal scrutiny.
This issue is clearly more than a land dispute- it’s a larger battle. This conflict forces us to question - how do we manage urbanisation and progress while simultaneously taking care of our nature and the lives of those who are deeply connected with it. If the policymakers really want to preserve the forest – they must honour the people and the animals that have preserved the forests all along.