HYDERABAD – The vast, beautiful campus of Hyderabad Central University (HCU), often recognized as a biodiversity haven, is now in the state of siege. The students and environmentalists have taken the state authorities to task over the alleged decision to put 400 acres of university land up for sale for industrial development.
The ancient ecological oasis, sheltering 734 species of plants, 237 species of birds, and an assemblage of wildlife such as deer, peacocks, star tortoises, and snakes, now finds itself precariously balanced on the edge of destruction with the Telangana government’s initiation of the Kancha Gachibowli IT corridor project. The clash has already led to protests, discussions, and a desperate appeal to keep alive what may be surmised by many as Hyderabad’s green heritage.
HCU Biodiversity – A Paradise at Risk
For decades, HCU’s 2,300-acre campus has served as a vibrant environment beyond its academical boundaries, being caught up into the sprawling urban environment. Subject to controversies, the remaining 400 acres are home to an ecologically coherent area that has been thoroughly studied, and this is one reason for deep affection on the part of the university community. As Priya Reddy, a botany student who is leading protests, commented, “This is not just land; this is a symbol of biodiversity that lives and breathes.”
The posts on X echo her sentiments, with users lamenting potential victims to bulldozers like hedgehogs, wild boars, and rabbits. Environmentalists have warned that selling this land would destroy already fragile ecosystems, displace wildlife, and erase much-needed urban green lungs as climate change escalates.
Nevertheless, the Telangana government is touting the move as something that the state needs to embark upon for economic development. Officials maintain the transformation of the area into an IT hub would generate jobs and enhance the international stature of Hyderabad. However, opposers led by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy condemned the project plan, accusing the state of pursuing profit at the cost of ecological value and cultural integrity. The auction, they say, threatens to jeopardize not just biodiversity but also the identity of the erstwhile HCU.
Protests Turn Tense
The land sale was immediately protested as students’ demonstrations grew progressively violent. On March 31, violence erupted when police tried to clear a sit-in staged near the University administration block; baton-wielding police confronted chanting students carrying placards inscribed “Save HCU Biodiversity” and “No IT Park Yes Green Park.” Video snippets circulating online captured “intense” standoffs, with minor injuries reported from both sides. “We are not just fighting for trees or animals; we are fighting for our future,” said Anil Kumar, a third-year student.
Where the university administration is caught between state directives and student fury, it has largely remained silent. Hashtags like #SaveHCU and #EcoJustice trended on social media, spreading the movement into areas outside of campus. With public figures and alumni now being vocal, they are appealing to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to reconsider the decision.
A Broader Debate
The interminable arguments have re-emerged between development and conservation-the latest in the controversy about HCU land. Some believe, though, that it false. “You don’t have to sacrifice one side for the other,” according to environmental activist Venu Madhav. “Hyderabad can really grow without razing its natural treasures.” The students are going to protest if the auction takes place in the meantime: “What was once a fight for land is, today, a fight for a future-and what kind of future will Hyderabad choose?”.
