On April 13, 2025, a peaceful candle march in Andheri, Mumbai, turned into a powerful statement of unity, empathy, and environmental consciousness. Organized by the Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation, the event saw around 500 participants, including citizens, animal lovers, and activists, standing together to protest the rampant deforestation in Telangana—specifically, the destruction of nearly 400 acres of forest land near the University of Hyderabad.
This land, once part of the ecologically rich Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF), is being cleared for an upcoming IT park, displacing countless species of birds, mammals, and insects that once thrived there. While the Supreme Court has ordered a stay, the damage already inflicted is heartbreaking and, in some cases, irreversible.
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A March Beyond Borders
The Andheri march wasn’t just about Hyderabad. As activist Roshan Pathak put it, “Our protest is against all state governments that continue to ignore the ecological cost of deforestation.”
The crowd gathered at Sardar Jaswant Singh Chandhok Chowk, holding candles and posters with urgent pleas:
“Forests Are Homes, Not Wastelands,”
“We Can’t Breathe Concrete,”
“For The Voiceless.”
Mumbai police officer and animal rights activist Sudhir Kudalkar documented the march, applauding its peaceful spirit and nationwide significance.
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KGF: An Urban Forest Silenced
The Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF) isn’t just any forest. It was a rare surviving pocket of urban wilderness inside Hyderabad’s growing concrete sprawl. The forest supported:
Over 200 species of birds,
Multiple rare and endangered mammals and reptiles,
A vibrant ecosystem of pollinators, fungi, and microfauna.
When bulldozers arrived, they didn’t just uproot trees—they evicted life.
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The Forgotten Forest Inside Hyderabad University
What’s more alarming is the overlooked 400-acre forest zone within the Hyderabad University premises. This patch of green has long been a refuge not only for wildlife but also for researchers, students, and urban dwellers who relied on it for clean air, shade, and mental wellness. Its destruction sends a message: in the name of development, even our greenest campuses are no longer safe.
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The Truth Behind Tree Loss
We often hear that new trees will be planted elsewhere to “compensate” for forest loss. But science tells us a different story.
A mature tree:
Absorbs up to 21 kg of CO₂ per year,
Reduces surrounding temperatures by 2-8°C,
Supports hundreds of species, from fungi to birds to bees.
Replanting does not recreate an ecosystem. It takes decades or even centuries to build what is destroyed in days.
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Why This Matters to All of Us
Heatwaves are intensifying. Urban areas without tree cover become heat islands.
Air quality is deteriorating. Forests are natural purifiers.
Mental health is declining. Green spaces are vital for emotional and psychological well-being.
Wildlife has nowhere to go. We encroach, they vanish. The cycle ends with extinction.
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The Path Forward
Pawpaa stands with every activist, every animal lover, and every community fighting for coexistence over concrete. Development must be measured. Trees are not roadblocks—they are life-support systems.
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Want to make a difference?
Talk about it. Share this post.
Support rewilding and conservation efforts.
Demand transparency and accountability from urban planners and authorities.
Choose businesses that give back. At Pawpaa, 5% of all profits support Lifecare Charitable Trust—rescuing and rehabilitating animals displaced by destruction.
Together, let’s be the voice for those who can’t speak.
Here’s a suggested list of credits and information sources you can include under the infographic or in the post caption to maintain transparency and support the cause:
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Sources & Credits:
News Report:
Free Press Journal article titled “Mumbai Animal Lovers Gather In Hundreds For Candle March In Andheri Against Telangana Deforestation Near Hyderabad University (Videos)”, published on April 14, 2025.
Free Press Journal https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-animal-lovers-gather-in-hundreds-for-candle-march-in-andheri-against-telangana-deforestation-near-hyderabad-university-videos
Photography & Visuals:
Sudhir Kudalkar / Instagram
PAL Foundation (Pure Animal Lovers Foundation)
Additional Background Information:
Reports on environmental loss in Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF) and deforestation near University of Hyderabad
Discussions from Pawpaa’s prior blogs and environmental content archives
Research from Forest Survey of India and media sources on forest degradation in Telangana and across India
Graphic Design & Concept:
Webrandustry Digital Solutions Creative Team
