The BJP leader said that the 400 acres of land Revanth Reddy planned to auction was adjacent to various lakes and rich biodiversity.
Union Minister Kishan Reddy today wrote an open letter to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urging the immediate withdrawal of the auction process for 400 acres of government land in Kancha Gachibowli village of Rangareddy district.
"It is learned that the Telangana State Government has decided to auction 400 acres of government land in Survey No 25(P) of Kancha Gachibowli village, Serilingampally mandal, Rangareddy district, through TSIIC. In the past, when you were the PCC president, you opposed the sale of government lands, keeping in mind the interests of future generations and the public. Let us not sell government land to our associates for survival. If we sell government land now, we will have no space left in the future for essential public infrastructure such as government hospitals, schools, or even cemeteries," Reddy wrote.
He also said that the 400 acres of land the CM planned to auction was adjacent to various lakes and rich biodiversity, serving as a habitat for 734 plant species, 220 bird species - including peacocks and migratory birds - spotted deer, four-horned deer, wild boars, mountain lions and Indian star tortoises, and had unique Mushroom rocks.
Reddy explained that although the land did not fall under the forest department, it was surrounded by green cover and diverse wildlife, making it a crucial source of oxygen for the city. "If this land gets covered with concrete structures, it will deplete water resources, harm the species inhabiting the area, and pose a significant environmental threat. The damage caused will be irreparable," he said.
He expressed particular concern about the Indian star tortoise, a species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2016 and included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) since 2019, granting them the highest level of protection from international trade.
Reddy also mentioned the rapid decline of greenery and open spaces in Hyderabad. He lamented that areas including Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills and Hi-Tech City, which once resembled forests and hills, had been transformed into concrete jungles due to urbanization, erasing their natural landscapes.
"As if this were not enough, even ecologically sensitive lands are now being converted into concrete jungles under the pretext of financial needs. Playgrounds, walking tracks, parks and ecological zones are disappearing. It is the collective responsibility of society to protect these spaces for future generations," he said.
Given these concerns, Reddy urged the government to consider declaring the 400-acre land and the adjacent 800-acre area as a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. He urged the Chief Minister to remain true to his earlier stance against selling government land and to safeguard the environment and biodiversity, including naturally formed hills, and demanded an immediate halt to the auction process.