Tree felling: SC says no activity till further orders, asks Telangana to explain compelling urgency

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Telangana government to explain the "compelling urgency" for clearing a large tree cover on a land parcel next to University of Hyderabad, and stayed any future activity till further orders.

A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih, which took suo motu cognisance of the state's tree felling drive in Kancha Gachibowli forest, calling it a "very serious" matter.

It said the interim report placed before it by the registrar (judicial) of the Telangana High Court depicted an "alarming picture" as a huge number of trees were being felled aside from the deployment of huge machineries.

"We direct that until further orders, no activities of any sorts, except the protection of trees already existing, shall be undertaken by the state," the Bench said.

The state chief secretary was ordered to answer several of its questions, regarding the clearing the green cover for developmental activities from a purported forest area. The top court cautioned that if it found lapses on the part of the state, it would take action against the chief secretary.

"He will go to temporary prison constructed at the same spot near the lake," the Bench said, "if your chief secretary wants to enjoy the state hospitality, one can't help it." The chief secretary was directed to explain whether the state had obtained the environmental impact assessment certificate for the development activities.

In case the state authorities were found in violation of any of its directions, the onus would fall on the state's chief secretary, it added.

A Central empowered committee was directed to visit the place in question and submit its report prior to April 16, when the matter would be heard again.

The University of Hyderabad Students' Union and other unions and associated parties have launched an indefinite protest and announced a boycott of classes from April 1, demanding withdrawal of the police personnel from the campus and removal of earth-moving machinery.