The clearing of greenery from an open space right in the heart of the city, a few hundred meters from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation office, allegedly at the behest of a veteran political leader, enraged local people on Wednesday.
Residents of Adarsh Nagar complained about felling of trees inside the compound, which was allegedly leased by the government in New MLA Quarters to make way for the construction of a permanent shelter to facilitate meetings.
According to videos shared, about a dozen trees, large and small, appeared to have been felled to stumps, several uprooted, and even more outside on the footpath were trimmed by mammoth branch felling. The trees felled included neem, copper pod and probably Ashoka varieties which were planted long ago.
“I grew up watching these trees. The (area) was so thick and dense with greenery that in some places sunlight could not reach the ground. The temperature inside the quarters was always two degrees lower,” resident Puneet Varma criticized the felling.
“The land was originally a Waqf property that was leased to the government and used to house several facilities, including a post office. However, the structures inside are now under the control of former MP Anjan Kumar Yadav,” he says.
Attempts to build the shed began three days ago and heavy equipment was brought in to cut down the trees and level the ground. A large number of plastic chairs stacked inside the compound indicated preparations for a well-attended meeting. Inquiries with security also pointed to Mr. Yadav’s involvement in the preparations.
However, when sought his version, Mr. Yadav refuted the allegations of his role in felling the trees and said that it was the GHMC that trimmed the trees to prevent them from getting entangled in power lines.
“I planted these trees, one every birthday. Why would I remove them?” was his reply. Attempts to reach VVL Subhadra Devi, Additional Urban Biodiversity Commissioner, GHMC, for her version on the role of GHMC were not successful.
Published – 10 Dec 2025 20:50 IST
