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The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has raised serious concerns regarding the deforestation activities conducted by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) in the Kancha Gachibowli area. The CEC's report highlights significant lapses on the part of the Telangana state government in adhering to the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act 2002 (WALTA) and failing to conduct a mandatory Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). The core issue revolves around the clearance of trees and land for development purposes by TGIIC, purportedly under the guise of removing 'exempted species' – trees for which the State government has waived the requirement of formal permission from the Forest Department. The CEC, however, points out that WALTA, through its Section 40, only allows the government to exempt specific areas, not specific species of trees. This distinction is critical because it undermines the entire premise upon which TGIIC's deforestation activities were based. The report further criticizes the self-certification form submitted by the TGIIC zonal manager, noting its lack of essential information, such as the names, girth, and height of the trees to be felled. This omission raises serious questions about the due diligence exercised by both TGIIC and the Forest Department in the process. Adding to the concerns is the discrepancy in the reported extent of the area proposed for clearance. Different figures were presented to various authorities – 122 acres to the TGIIC, 150 acres to the District Forest Officer, and 400 acres to the Police Department. This inconsistency further casts doubt on the transparency and accountability of the project. The Environment Impact Assessment Notification 2006 mandates that townships and area development projects covering an area equal to or more than 50 hectares are required to undergo a comprehensive EIA. The TGIIC's failure to obtain environmental clearance, coupled with its decision to apply only for Consent for Establishment from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) by showing a reduced project area, has been termed 'piece-mealing' by the CEC, raising serious legal and environmental concerns. This tactic appears to be an attempt to circumvent the more rigorous requirements of an EIA, potentially concealing the true environmental impact of the project. The CEC's report also highlights the indiscriminate destruction of trees, shrubs, and other natural vegetation by TGIIC's contractor under the pretext of removing exempted tree species. This widespread destruction, coupled with the destruction of rock formations using heavy machinery, has caused irreversible damage to the landscape and the destruction of habitats critical to the survival of certain animals. The report specifically mentions the destruction of rock formations and habitats critical to wildlife. The Chief Wildlife Warden's letter, referencing 64 recorded cases of rescue, injury, or death of spotted deer at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) between 2013 and 2025, further underscores the environmental impact of the project. The CEC countered the Chief Secretary’s assertion that the animals ‘strayed’ into the land, arguing that a comprehensive EIA would have assessed the entire 400-acre area and its adjoining areas, ensured public consultation, scientific evaluation, and regulatory scrutiny, thereby preventing public unrest. The report also delves into the ownership of the 400 acres of land, questioning the validity of TGIIC's claim of absolute ownership and highlighting the potential for misrepresentation and financial impropriety if the land is used to create third-party interests such as mortgages. The CEC also criticized the state-level expert committee constituted to identify forest-like areas, noting the absence of actual experts in the committee. To determine if the Kancha Gachibowli land could be categorized as a forest, the CEC requested the Forest Survey of India to conduct a vegetation density survey. The CEC has put forth a series of recommendations to address the issues identified in its report. These include the constitution of an expert committee comprising forest officers, wildlife experts, ecologists, IT and remote sensing professionals; the cancellation of the Consent for Establishment (CFE) issued by the TGPCB; an ecological assessment by the Wildlife Institute of India; strict action against TGIIC and its contractor; and measures to arrest the flow of sewage into the lakes in UoH. These recommendations aim to rectify the damage caused by the deforestation activities, prevent future environmental violations, and ensure that development projects are carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner.
The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has meticulously dissected the environmental transgressions committed during the deforestation activities orchestrated by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) in the Kancha Gachibowli region. Their investigation unearthed a web of non-compliance with established environmental protocols, particularly the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act 2002 (WALTA), and the deliberate evasion of a comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). A central tenet of the CEC's critique lies in the blatant disregard for the stipulations of WALTA. The state government's purported allowance of 'exempted species' of trees, those deemed free from the need for formal Forest Department approval, directly contradicts the Act's provision. Section 40 of WALTA explicitly grants the government the power to exempt specific areas, not individual species. This deliberate misinterpretation served as the cornerstone for TGIIC's operations, allowing them to proceed with large-scale deforestation under the guise of lawfully removing designated trees. The CEC further scrutinized the self-certification process employed by TGIIC, highlighting critical deficiencies in the documentation. The submitted forms lacked fundamental information such as the species, girth, and height of the targeted trees. This omission casts a shadow of doubt over the entire process, questioning the diligence and accountability of both TGIIC and the Forest Department in ensuring responsible environmental stewardship. The report also meticulously exposed the inconsistencies in the reported area slated for clearance. The conflicting figures presented to various governmental bodies – 122 acres, 150 acres, and a staggering 400 acres – reveal a disturbing lack of transparency and raise concerns about the true scope of the project and its potential environmental impact. The evasion of a mandatory EIA is perhaps the most egregious violation identified by the CEC. The Environment Impact Assessment Notification 2006 unequivocally mandates an EIA for townships and area development projects exceeding 50 hectares. TGIIC's strategic maneuver of artificially reducing the project area to circumvent this requirement, termed 'piece-mealing' by the CEC, highlights a calculated attempt to avoid rigorous environmental scrutiny. This circumvention not only jeopardizes the environment but also sets a dangerous precedent for future development projects. The CEC's findings extend beyond mere procedural irregularities, delving into the tangible environmental consequences of TGIIC's actions. The indiscriminate destruction of trees, shrubs, and natural vegetation, coupled with the demolition of rock formations using heavy machinery, has resulted in irreversible damage to the landscape and the decimation of critical wildlife habitats. The report poignantly references the documented instances of spotted deer injuries and fatalities in the nearby University of Hyderabad, serving as a stark reminder of the project's devastating impact on local fauna. In response to these findings, the CEC issued a series of targeted recommendations aimed at mitigating the damage and preventing future environmental violations. These recommendations include the formation of an expert committee composed of diverse environmental specialists, the cancellation of the Consent for Establishment (CFE) previously granted to TGIIC, a comprehensive ecological assessment conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, and the imposition of strict penalties on TGIIC and its contractor.
The implications of the CEC report extend far beyond the immediate context of the Kancha Gachibowli deforestation case. This incident serves as a crucial case study, highlighting the systemic weaknesses in environmental governance and the potential for exploitation by powerful entities. The CEC's meticulous investigation not only exposed the specific violations committed by TGIIC but also shed light on the broader issues of regulatory capture, lack of transparency, and inadequate enforcement of environmental laws. The practice of defining 'exempted species' of trees, ostensibly to streamline development projects, represents a dangerous loophole that can be easily abused to circumvent environmental regulations. This loophole undermines the very purpose of WALTA, which is to protect and conserve water, land, and tree resources. The lack of due diligence in the self-certification process, as evidenced by the incomplete and inaccurate documentation submitted by TGIIC, underscores the need for stronger oversight and accountability. The Forest Department's failure to adequately scrutinize these documents suggests a lack of capacity or willingness to enforce environmental regulations effectively. The inconsistent reporting of the project area further erodes public trust and raises concerns about potential corruption or undue influence. The strategic avoidance of a mandatory EIA, through the tactic of 'piece-mealing,' is a particularly alarming example of how developers can manipulate regulations to avoid scrutiny. This practice not only conceals the true environmental impact of projects but also deprives the public of the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process. The CEC's recommendations, while targeted at addressing the specific issues in the Kancha Gachibowli case, also provide a roadmap for strengthening environmental governance more broadly. The formation of an expert committee with diverse expertise, including forest officers, wildlife experts, ecologists, and remote sensing professionals, is crucial for ensuring that environmental assessments are conducted with rigor and impartiality. The cancellation of the CFE granted to TGIIC sends a clear message that environmental violations will not be tolerated. The ecological assessment by the Wildlife Institute of India will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term environmental impacts of the deforestation activities. The imposition of strict penalties on TGIIC and its contractor will serve as a deterrent to future environmental violations. Ultimately, the Kancha Gachibowli case underscores the need for a fundamental shift in the way environmental regulations are implemented and enforced. This requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and public participation, as well as a willingness to hold powerful entities accountable for their environmental actions. The CEC's report provides a valuable framework for achieving this goal, but it is up to the government and civil society to ensure that its recommendations are implemented effectively.
Source: Non-adherence to WALTA, absence of EIA flagged by CEC on Kancha Gachibowli