Hyderabad's Green Heart Under Siege: KBR National Park Faces Alarming Transformation

Hyderabad’s cherished KBR National Park, a vital lung for the bustling city, is once again at the center of a heated environmental debate. Nature lovers and environmental activists are sounding a desperate alarm, alleging that ongoing construction is systematically converting the park's natural walking tracks into paved pathways, fundamentally altering its character from a protected wildlife sanctuary to what they critically call a mere 'walkers’ park'.

This controversial development, they argue, is not just a cosmetic change but a grave violation of wildlife protection laws and a direct threat to the park's delicate ecosystem.

At the heart of the outcry is the observation that the main walking track within the park is being subjected to extensive work, involving the laying of compacted stone dust and the creation of paved walkways.

For many, this isn't an upgrade; it’s a betrayal of the park’s intrinsic wild spirit. Activists, under the banner of groups like the 'Save KBR Committee', vehemently assert that such interventions are illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, specifically citing sections 29, 30, 31, and 32, which strictly prohibit any form of disturbance or destruction within a national park.

The concerns extend far beyond aesthetics.

Environmentalists warn that the paving and increased human activity will have devastating consequences for the diverse flora and fauna that call KBR home. The park, despite its urban location, harbors a surprisingly rich array of wildlife, including deers, monitor lizards, civets, wild boars, and even the elusive pangolins.

These animals, particularly the nocturnal species, are highly sensitive to human disturbance, noise, and artificial light. Paved tracks invariably lead to increased footfall, brighter lighting, and more persistent noise pollution, effectively eroding their natural habitat and disrupting their crucial behaviors.

Critics are not mincing words when it comes to the role of authorities.

They point fingers at the Telangana Forest Department and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), questioning their stewardship and accountability. The sentiment is clear: a national park is a sacrosanct ecological zone, not a recreational ground to be modified for commercial walking activities.

This isn't the first time KBR has faced an existential threat; a few years ago, the park was the focal point of massive protests against a proposed flyover that threatened to carve through its periphery, a battle the activists ultimately won.

Now, the battle lines are drawn once more. Nature lovers are united in their demand for an immediate cessation of all construction activities within KBR National Park.

They are calling for transparency regarding the project's true purpose and a comprehensive explanation from the officials responsible. More importantly, they insist on the restoration of the park’s natural habitat to its pristine state, urging authorities to uphold their constitutional duty to protect this invaluable biodiversity hotspot.

The future of KBR National Park, a cherished green lung for Hyderabad and a sanctuary for its wildlife, hangs precariously in the balance.