BJP MPs from Telangana on Tuesday urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to intervene and save 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli near the Hyderabad Central University campus.
A delegation of MPs led by Union Minister for Mines and Telangana BJP president G. Kishan Reddy met Pradhan in Delhi and submitted a memorandum.
The delegation included Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar and MPs Arvind Dharampuri, Eatala Rajender, K. Vishweshwar Reddy, and G. Nagesh.
The BJP MPs sought Pradhan’s intervention to protect what they termed “ecological and heritage land” that the Telangana government has decided to auction.
“This land, which is home to unique rock formations, rich biodiversity, and vital green cover, plays a critical role in maintaining the environmental balance of our city,” the memorandum stated.
The MPs pointed out that the area near the University of Hyderabad is not just a real estate asset but serves as a carbon sink, housing 734 species of plants, 220 species of birds, and vulnerable species like the Indian star tortoise. The land also contains two lakes—Peacock Lake and Buffalo Lake—which sustain local biodiversity.
“Moreover, the iconic Mushroom Rock formation, a symbol of our geological heritage, is part of this landscape,” they noted.
The Union Minister was informed that the University of Hyderabad community, including students, faculty, and residents, has strongly opposed the auction. On March 10, a large-scale protest was held at the Mushroom Rock, and a petition demanding the cancellation of the auction has already garnered over 22,000 signatures.
“The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) plans to develop and monetise this land. However, the State Government is silent on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted or if any alternative development strategies balancing urbanisation with conservation have been explored, which is worrisome,” the MPs stated.
They requested the Union Minister to explore options to immediately halt the land auction process, set up a review committee to study its ecological significance, and explore sustainable alternatives.
Bandi Sanjay Kumar said they explained how these lands, rich with 700 medicinal plants and 220 bird species, are Hyderabad’s environmental treasure. He accused the Congress government of shamelessly eyeing it for real estate loot worth thousands of crores.
Stating that HCU students and Hyderabad citizens were already protesting, the Union Minister of State for Home alleged that the state government was ignoring the outrage.
