Despite students’ protests, excavators continue to clear forested lands in Kancha Gachibowli

While eight excavators were brought in at the UoH east campus on Sunday afternoon, their numbers were increased to 40 in the night to speed up the works, including removal of trees, plants and leveling the land

Hyderabad: Despite vehement protest from the University of Hyderabad (UoH) students, excavators continued to clear the forested lands in Kancha Gachibowli, which has been put up for auction by the State government, all through the Sunday night and Monday morning.

While eight excavators were brought in at the UoH east campus on Sunday afternoon, their numbers were increased to 40 in the night to speed up the works, including removal of trees, plants and leveling the land.

In a statement, the students union said the inaction and silence of the university administration in addressing the grave issue are alarming.

“The students’ union has repeatedly sought a response from the administration, but no official statement or action has been taken so far,” it added.

Ever since the State government decided to auction 400-acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, university student, teaching and non-teaching communities have been up in arms against the government.

The protestors have been arguing that any development activity would spell doom for the flora and fauna, creating ecological imbalance besides destroying lung space for the city.