SC's Central Empowered Committee to visit Kancha Gachibowli on April 10
the issues that the CEC members are expected to focus on are the status of Kancha Gachibowli, particularly the nature of vegetation there and whether it falls under the ambit of a “deemed forest”, especially since presence of several species of wildlife including some that fall under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act in the forest like area.
Hyderabad: The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee members, who were directed to visit the Kancha Gachibowli land, and submit a report to the court, are expected to visit the city from April 9 to 11.
It is learnt that two members of the committee — former Inspector General of Forests Chandraprakash Goyal, and former chief wildlife warden of Maharashtra, Sunil Limaye — will hold meetings with officials from the state forest department, and other government officials and visit the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli on April 10. It may be recalled that the Supreme Court, on April 3, in its orders halting all activity at Kancha Gachibowli, asked the CEC to visit the site and submit its report before April 16.
Among the issues that the CEC members are expected to focus on are the status of Kancha Gachibowli, particularly the nature of vegetation there and whether it falls under the ambit of a “deemed forest”, especially since presence of several species of wildlife including some that fall under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act in the forest like area. Also expected to be looked at are the steps taken by the forest department with respect to applying the Forest Conservation Act and Wildlife Protection Act provisions in Kancha Gachibowli and action taken with respect to clearing the land using heavy machinery.
The Supreme Court, which on April 3 ordered the stopping of all activity in Kancha Gachibowli, is scheduled to hear the case again on April 16.