PIL filed against land auction threatens star tortoise habitat

A public interest litigation has been filed in the Telangana High Court against the auction of land in Kancha Gachibowli. The case highlights the presence of the Indian star tortoise, a protected species, on the land. The tortoise is listed as vulnerable and has legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The petition was filed by Vata Foundation, which argues that the government’s decision to allocate the land to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) will harm the tortoise's habitat. The land, previously set aside for the University of Hyderabad, is part of a larger area with rich biodiversity. The petitioners are calling for the land to be designated as a national park to protect it. They have included evidence such as news reports and photos from wildlife enthusiasts to support their claims about the area's biodiversity. The NGO's founder, Uday Krishna Peddireddi, argues that recent efforts to clear the forest are damaging the environment. They are seeking to have the government's land transfer to TGIIC declared illegal and demand restoration of the area.