Development or prosperity? Hyderabad’s forests ask a bigger question

The felling of nearly 400 acres of forest near the University of Hyderabad has ignited a citywide reckoning on the meaning of development and who bears its cost. Despite court orders, bulldozers razed a thriving biodiversity corridor—rich in native flora, fauna, and vital groundwater zones—forcing students and citizens into resistance. Though the Telangana government has now proposed a biodiversity park on the same land, this reactive move raises questions about institutional autonomy and ecological foresight. Why was a living forest disrupted to create what already existed? The episode exposes gaps in Hyderabad’s urban planning—marked by a lack of transparent land-use data, environmental impact assessments, and public consultation. It highlights a model of development that sacrifices ecological health for infrastructure. If cities like Singapore and Bogotá can plan sustainably, why can’t Hyderabad? Judicial intervention provided temporary relief, but real accountability lies in embracing transparent, ecologically responsible governance for truly sustainable urban futures.

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