Telangana reconsiders Kancha Gachibowli land auction

The Telangana government is reconsidering selling 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, which belongs to the University of Hyderabad. Minister D. Sridhar Babu announced this during a session in the Assembly on Monday. He stated that the government aims to protect the land of the central university. Concerns about the auction were raised by AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi. He highlighted strong opposition from local youth and environmental groups. They worry that selling the land will harm two nearby lakes and replace green spaces with buildings. Environmentalists, part of the "Save City Forests Collective," are actively protesting against the auction. They emphasize the importance of the land for wildlife and biodiversity. An online petition started on March 11 has already gathered nearly 5,000 signatures. It calls for the auction to be canceled, warning of serious environmental risks for Hyderabad. Additionally, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Telangana High Court. The PIL seeks to classify the 400 acres as an ecologically sensitive zone to protect the area.