When Trees Fall, Students Rise—How Hyderabad’s IT Dream Threatens a University’s Green Lungs

Hyderabad- Tensions have escalated at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) as students continue their resistance against the Telangana government’s decision to auction 400 acres of university land. On Sunday afternoon, more than 200 students marched peacefully towards the east campus to protest against the clearing of trees to set the ground for the auction. However, the demonstration turned violent when Telangana police used force against the students, leading to injuries and the detention of over 50 protesters. While most were released late at night, two students were charged under multiple sections and have been sent to judicial custody.

The controversy began with the Congress-led Telangana government’s announcement to auction 400 acres of land that had been used by the university for the past 50 years. This land, rich in biodiversity, supports diverse flora and fauna, including deer, peacocks, and porcupines. Despite concerns about its ecological significance, Telangana Chief Minister defended the decision, stating, “It is being auctioned as part of an effort to expand the IT corridor near Gachibowli.” He further dismissed the environmental concerns, adding, “There are no deer, no peacocks, only foxes who are trying to curtail development.”

Originally, this land was part of the 2,324-acre allotment given to the university by the then Andhra Pradesh government during its establishment in 1974. In 2004, the state government allocated it to a company named IMG Academies Bharath for sports infrastructure development, but the project was later revoked in 2006 due to the company’s inability to execute the plan. This led to a prolonged legal battle between IMG Bharath and the state government. In March last year, the High Court ruled in favor of the government, paving the way for the auction, with a base amount set at ₹10,000 crore.

Ecological Sensitivity and Heritage Significance

Peacock Lake, Buffalo Lake, Mermaid Lake, and other seasonal ponds enrich the university's ecosystem. A joint study conducted by UoH and WWF-India in 2009 documented the rich biodiversity of the campus, identifying 284 plant species and 171 faunal species, including butterflies, odonates, arachnids, herpetofauna, birds, and mammals. Climate activists argue that this land is a lung space for the city, forming a unique ecosystem that plays a crucial role in regulating the local climate.

According to a list published by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Andhra Pradesh government) in 1998 regarding ‘Heritage Buildings and Heritage Precincts,’ Mushroom Rock—a rock formation inside the campus in the shape of a mushroom—stands fourth on the list. It holds significant cultural value for the campus community.

A widely shared video on social media shows animals rushing to find new shelter as bulldozers clear the land, raising concerns about habitat destruction. Despite this, the Telangana government maintains that, according to revenue records, the land is neither classified as forest land nor officially designated as university property. A press statement from the government states that the project aligns with its priority to develop world-class IT infrastructure while ensuring the preservation of rock formations, including Mushroom Rock.

The students’ union has condemned the government’s stance, arguing that it undermines the fundamental definition of a forest. They claim that the government’s classification is purely bureaucratic and does not consider the ecological significance of the land.

Police Crackdown and Student Resistance

The student community, along with faculty and staff, has formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to organize protests against the auction. For the past month, the campus has been in a state of unrest, with students staging demonstrations demanding that the government withdraw the auction and formally register the land under the university’s name.

On Sunday, tensions escalated further as bulldozers continued clearing trees and vegetation within the campus. As a result, the student body, united under the students’ union, launched an indefinite protest, accusing the university administration of giving silent consent to police action against students and the destruction of the land.

During the protest, police detained over 50 students, later releasing most of them. However, PhD scholar Erram Naveen and postdoctoral fellow Rohit Bondugula were not released and were instead charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal trespass, assault on a public servant, and criminal intimidation. The police claim that students attacked workers and officials, injuring an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who was reportedly taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Growing Movement and Legal Battle

In response to the arrests and continued land clearance, students organized a candle march from the North Shop Complex to the East Campus, where police barricades and security personnel remain stationed. Bulldozers continued clearing the land overnight. Students and activists believe the government strategically executed the clearance during the Eid holiday when the university was closed, and many students had left for home celebrations, limiting resistance.

Meanwhile, legal proceedings have begun, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the auction already filed in the High Court. The next hearing is scheduled for April 7.

The ongoing protests at the University of Hyderabad reflect the growing friction between developmental policies and environmental sustainability. Students view the government's actions as a betrayal of public education and ecological conservation.

While the Telangana government justifies its decision on economic growth, the university community and activists emphasize the need to preserve the land’s ecological and heritage value. The movement continues to gain momentum, with civil society groups and environmental organizations rallying behind the students.

-This report has been co-authored by Saurav Singh and Anurag N.