Protests Escalate in Hyderabad Over Tree Felling Near KBR National Park

Hundreds of residents staged a protest in Hyderabad on Sunday, May 10, for the tenth consecutive day against tree felling and pruning near Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park, escalating concerns over ecological damage and unauthorized construction activities. The demonstrations follow allegations of large-scale tree removal beginning April 18 at key locations including Agrasen Junction and along the median between the Cancer Hospital and the park's boundary.

Activists with the #SaveKBR movement linked the tree cutting to ongoing infrastructure works under the H-CITI project, raising legal concerns over permits issued by the Tree Protection Committee under the WALTA Act. Vijay Mallangi and advocate Dr. Lubna Sarwath asserted that Form 14, requiring written approval from a designated authority, was not properly issued, challenging the legality of the felling.

Public policy expert Dr. Donthi Narasimha Reddy warned the park is suffering cumulative damage from repeated encroachments, particularly due to proposed flyovers and underpasses. Campaigner Kaajal Maheshwari confirmed growing local and international support for the movement, which has filed legal petitions over the issue.

The Telangana Forest Department has not issued a public statement, while the next court hearing in the related petition is scheduled for May 15.