Telangana on Mission to Make Hyderabad an Eco-Friendly City, Says CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad, June 2026 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday said his government is pursuing an ambitious mission to transform Hyderabad into a greener, more sustainable and environmentally resilient city through large-scale ecological restoration, protection of forest lands and improvement of urban infrastructure.

Ahead of the launch of the annual “Vanamahotsavam” tree plantation festival at the Gurramguda Eco Park near Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said the initiative represents much more than a symbolic plantation drive. According to him, it reflects the government’s commitment to addressing long-standing environmental challenges that have affected the city for years.

In a message posted on social media platform X, Revanth Reddy said the programme carries special significance because it stems from lessons learned during past episodes of urban flooding and environmental degradation.

“This is not merely a token gesture. It is the result of a firm resolve shaped by memories of destruction and pursued with determination,” he stated.

The Chief Minister said that unchecked encroachments on lakes, water bodies and forest lands had severely affected Hyderabad’s ecological balance over the years. These developments, he noted, often resulted in widespread flooding and disruption even during moderate rainfall.

Contrasting past practices with current efforts, Revanth Reddy said his administration has embarked on a comprehensive mission to restore storm-water drainage systems, reclaim encroached forest areas through legal action and strengthen environmental infrastructure across the city.

He recalled visiting the Gurramguda region during the devastating floods of 2021 when he was serving as the Member of Parliament from Malkajgiri. The experience, he said, deeply influenced his vision for protecting natural resources and improving urban planning.

According to the Chief Minister, the Vanamahotsavam programme at Gurramguda is the practical realisation of that vision. He described the event as evidence of the government’s efforts since assuming office to protect forest lands, challenge encroachments through legal means and create an urban environment where people can live closer to nature.

A major milestone in this effort came in December 2025 when the Supreme Court of India declared 102 acres of land in the long-pending Sahebnagar Kalan-Gurramguda Reserve Forest dispute as forest land. The ruling settled a decades-old legal battle after the apex court allowed an appeal filed by the Telangana government and overturned earlier orders passed by lower authorities and courts.

Building on the judgment, the state government in March 2026 formally notified 424 acres and 31 guntas of land in Gurramguda as Reserve Forest under the provisions of the Telangana Forest Act, 1967. The administration subsequently decided to develop the area into a major Urban Forest Park aimed at enhancing biodiversity and providing green recreational spaces for residents.

As part of Thursday’s programme, the Chief Minister will launch Vanamahotsavam by planting a sapling at the park and inaugurating development works worth Rs 17.84 crore undertaken within the Gurramguda Reserve Forest area.

In addition, Revanth Reddy will virtually inaugurate environmental and infrastructure projects worth Rs 17.66 crore across Telangana. These initiatives include urban parks, eco-parks, wildlife conservation facilities, zoo modernisation projects, residential buildings and other environmental infrastructure works spread across districts such as Nizamabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Hanumakonda, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Mulugu, Narayanpet, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Sangareddy, Ranga Reddy and Warangal.

The Chief Minister said these projects form part of the government’s broader vision to promote sustainable urban development, conserve natural ecosystems and create healthier living conditions for future generations. He emphasised that environmental protection and urban growth must go hand in hand to ensure Hyderabad remains a vibrant and resilient city in the years ahead.