The Telangana forest department scored a major victory in the Supreme Court on Thursday when over 102 acres of land at Sahebnagar Kalan in Ranga Reddy district was declared part of the forest reserve forest, Gurramguda reserve forest block, and not private land.
The victory is particularly significant as the ministry faced defeat in lower courts and the Telangana High Court, officials said. Several people claiming to be the legal heirs of Salar Jung III, Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, tried to usurp the land, they said.
The Supreme Court upheld the state government’s stand on the land and set aside an earlier order to the contrary, said a statement by District Forest Officer Rohith Gopidi. The land is thus a continuing section of the forest block.
The judgment of Justices Pankaj Mithal and SVN Bhatti also noted that lung space was shrinking in all cities and the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were no exception. It directed the Chief Secretary of Telangana to ensure completion of pending proposals and declare the land as reserve forest within eight weeks and submit a compliance report.
Published – 18 Dec 2025 20:34 IST
