THE SUPREME COURT TODAY was informed by the Telangana government that it is preparing a holistic development plan for the Kancha Gachibowli forest area - located in Hyderabad’s IT hub - where large-scale felling of trees had earlier taken place.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Telangana government, told a bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran that in compliance with earlier court directions, all tree-cutting activities had been halted.
“Court shouldn’t have any concern about that. Now we want to come up with a much larger plan for our forests, lakes... It will take some time,” Singhvi said.
CJI Gavai welcomed the move and asked the state to submit a “good proposal” for the Court’s consideration. “If you come with a good proposal, we will withdraw all suo motu proceedings against the state and give you a real compliment... We want the environment to be protected,” CJI remarked.
Recording the submission, the Court observed, “Time and again, the Court has said it is not against development, but development has to be sustainable development. While carrying out development activities, the interest of the environment and wildlife must be protected by ensuring mitigating and compensatory measures.”
