HYDRAA Secures 200 Acres of Government Land and Ancient Rock Formations in Puppalaguda

In a major conservation and land protection initiative carried out on World Environment Day , HYDRAA fenced off nearly 200 acres of government land in the rapidly developing Puppalaguda–Khajaguda corridor on the outskirts of Hyderabad, preventing further encroachments on what officials describe as one of the city's most valuable public land parcels.

The protected tract, located in Gandipet mandal of Rangareddy district, is estimated to be worth around Rs 30,000 crore . The area is also home to 250-million-year-old geological formations , along with ancient rock shelters and natural landscapes that environmentalists have long sought to preserve.

According to officials, the land had earlier been allotted to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) . However, delays in identifying boundaries and erecting protective fencing left the property vulnerable to encroachment over the years.

The issue had been a matter of concern for conservation groups, particularly the Society to Save Rocks , which has campaigned for decades to protect the region's distinctive granite formations. Following legal intervention, the High Court had directed municipal and revenue authorities in 2019 to safeguard the area and prevent damage to the heritage rock structures.

The matter gained fresh attention after representatives of the conservation group submitted a complaint through HYDRAA's public grievance platform . Acting on the complaint, HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath directed officials to conduct a detailed field inspection. After verifying the land records and confirming its government ownership, HYDRAA teams moved in on Friday to secure the site with fencing.

Revenue records show that the total extent of government land in the area measures 293.05 acres , portions of which have already been allocated for various purposes. The remaining 200 acres fall under HMDA's jurisdiction and contain several natural and historical features, including rock formations, temples and hillocks.

Environmental activists welcomed the move, describing it as an important step towards preserving Hyderabad's geological heritage . Officials also noted that HYDRAA is undertaking restoration work at the nearby Bhagirathamma Cheruvu . With its combination of scenic hills, water bodies and heritage landscapes, the area is seen as having strong potential to emerge as a prominent eco-tourism destination in the future.