National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Hyderabad: Trees ... vs . Ankita Sinha & Ors." Reported In 2021 on 16 July, 2025
Item No. 06 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 345/2025
News Item titled "Hyderabad: Trees razed across 20 acres at
Rajendranagar students protest against deforestation" appearing in
Telangana Today dated 06.07.2025.
Date of hearing: 16.07.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER
ORDER
1. This original application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled "Hyderabad: Trees razed across 20 acres at Rajendranagar students protest against deforestation" appearing in Telangana Today dated 06.07.2025.
2. The matter relates to the large-scale felling of trees over approximately 20 acres of land at an Agricultural University campus in Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The article mentions that a significant number of trees, including mature and ecologically important species, were reportedly cut down overnight. As per the article students have expressed concern over the manner in which the felling was undertaken, reportedly under police presence.
3. The matter above appears to attract the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and the Telangana Preservation of Trees Act, 1976.
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4. The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
5. Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of "Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
6. Hence, we implead the following as respondents:
i. Telangana pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary Telangana Pollution Control Board, A-3, Paryavaran Bhavan, Sanath Nagar Rd, Sanath Nagar Industrial Estate, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500018 ii. District Magistrate, Hyderabad Lakdikapul, Hyderabad,500004 iii. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Through its Commissioner CC Complex Tank Bund Road, Lower Tank Bund Hyderabad: 500063 iv. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai 1st and IInd Floor, Handloom Export Promotion Council, 34, Cathedral Garden Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 34
7. Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Southern Zonal Bench of the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing. If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal. 2
8. Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai, therefore, OA is transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench. Therefore, the original record of this OA be transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai for further action.
9. List before Southern Zonal Bench at Chennai on 04.09.2025.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM Dr. Afroz Ahmad EM July 16, 2025 Original Application No. 345/2025 A 3