Fauna, lakes in Kacha Gachibowli mentioned in petition; Collective calls upon citizens to oppose the auction of 400 acres land

Save City Forests Collective opposes auction of 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli, highlighting ecological, wildlife, and climate impacts on Hyderabad.

Green and wildlife enthusiasts, coming together under the banner of ‘Save City Forests Collective’, called upon the citizens, environmentalists, and policy makers to oppose the proposed auction of 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli through the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).

An online petition floated on Change.org on March 11 for a halt to the auction proposal, garnered close to 5000 signatures within a few hours.

The auction is not just a real estate issue, but a direct attack on the city’s ecological balance, as the land is a critical biodiversity zone, a climate regulator and one of the few remaining urban forests in the region. Once destroyed, the habitat cannot be restored, hence it is imperative for all concerned to oppose this auction, a statement from the collective said.

Hyderabad’s future depends on sustainable development that prioritises environmental preservation over short term financial gains, the statement pointed out.

“This area is not a barren land... or just another real estate opportunity—it is a rich, biodiverse forest habitat that has remained untouched so far by development,” the statement said, adding the existence of two lakes too which welcome a large number of migratory birds and support wildlife. The proposed auction raises serious concerns about environmental destruction, loss of wildlife, and climate consequences for Hyderabad, it said.

Citing an assessment by Wild Lens, a wildlife photography and conservation from the students of University of Hyderabad, the statement said the piece of land is one among the few urban forest areas which has wild fauna in natural habitat including 237 varieties of birds, spotted deer, wild boar, star tortoise, porcupine, Indian mongoose, monitor lizard, and several species of snakes including Indian rock python, vipers, cobras, boas, kraits and others, apart from a good number herbal and medicinal plants.

Among these, the Indian star tortoise has been classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2016, indicating a declining population trend. In 2019, it was moved to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), reflecting the highest level of international protection against commercial trade.