Students Protest in Hyderabad After Trees Cut for CM’s Plantation Event
Hyderabad: A group of students from Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) staged a protest after several trees were cut down in the university’s botanical garden late Saturday night. The clearing was reportedly done to prepare for a plantation event (Vana Mahotsavam) to be launched by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday.
Students were shocked to see bulldozers operating at night, removing trees across nearly 20 acres. Videos of the machines in action quickly spread on social media, sparking anger and comparisons to the recent deforestation at Kancha Gachibowli, near the University of Hyderabad, which had already caused public outcry and led to a Supreme Court warning to the State government.
According to protesting students, they were not informed about the tree removal and were even stopped by police from leaving their hostels during the operation. They alleged that the university, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and the forest department were behind the move.
One student, Raj Kumar, said the botanical garden had over 500 plant species, including medicinal ones, and questioned the use of heavy machinery at night. “We were told a gene bank would be set up, but why clear trees in this way?” he asked.
In response, PJTAU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aldas Janaiah said only Subabul and Eucalyptus trees—species considered harmful to the soil—were removed from five out of 40 acres. “These trees were planted about 60 years ago. We’re preparing to plant 3,000 new saplings as part of the plantation drive,” he said.
He also stated that there was no police action against students and that campus activities were continuing as usual. The university urged people not to believe in rumors.
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