GREEN U-TURN OR GREENWASH: A CRITICAL LOOK AT TELANGANA’S ECO PARK PROPOSAL

Abstract

Forest is a beauty of the natural conservation as well as protection of wild life in India.

The recent incident in Hyderabad Central University deforestation activity done by

Telangana government has questioned to human society. The policy reversal by the

Telangana government from auctioning land at Kancha Gachibowli to proposing the

creation of one of the world’s largest eco parks has sparked both praise and skepticism.

While the move is being positioned as a win for environmental conservation, questions

remain about its authenticity. This development comes amidst growing global concerns

over greenwashing, a practice where environmental claims are used more as public

relations tools than as indicators of real ecological commitment. This paper explores

whether Telangana’s shift represents a genuine green initiative or a strategic form of

greenwashing. In a surprising policy shift, the Telangana government abandoned its

controversial plan to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli and instead

announced an ambitious project: developing a 2,000-acre eco-park. This reversal

followed protests from students, environmentalists, and a suo motu intervention by the

Supreme Court. While the announcement is framed as a victory for sustainable

development, it has also raised questions about whether the move is a genuine

commitment to the environment or an example of greenwashing. This paper critically

explores the case through the lens of environmental ethics and public accountability.