Meera Bhardwaj:
One more biodiversity rich and historical heritage site has been coveted by the Karnataka government for commercial development. After the KSIC Silk Filature Factory fiasco at T Narsipura, now it is the turn of Kunigal Stud Farm near Bengaluru which will see the gobbling up of 100 acres of this verdant lung space for horse racing, betting and related club activities.
Now why is the Siddaramaiah led Congress government in such a tearing hurry to take up commercial development projects in such much-needed green lung spaces in small towns like Kunigal – needs deep introspection. Without proper surveys and discussions, recently they have been jumping into commercial projects in Karnataka which has led to angst and protests from local people, farmers and environmentalists.
LOSS OF KVAFSU LAND?
This is not an isolated incident as the Karnataka High Court on Friday sent a notice to the state govt on the high-handed transfer of four acres of KVAFSU land at Veterinary College campus, Hebbal for the purpose of construction of residential quarters for High Court judges and another three acres for construction of Super Speciality Hospital.
The Karnataka Veterinary Association, Bengaluru Veterinary College alumni and many others had filed a PIL in January this year questioning the arbitrary transfer of 7 acres of verdant Hebbal campus land for development purposes in the heart of Bengaluru city which is fast losing its green cover.
HISTORICAL NATURAL LEGACY
Steeped in 250-year-old history and biodiversity, the Kunigal Stud Farm is making news for all the wrong reasons. Spread across 500 acres – it is a wonderland of green meadows and is home to thousands of trees with many of them centuries old. The historic Kunigal Stud Farm is located in Tumakuru district, Karnataka – just 70 kilometres from the IT hub of Bengaluru.
Successive governments in Karnataka have eyed this precious green heritage and equestrian property either for building a Railway Track or an Integrated Township or real estate development under the garb of tackling the severe congestion and the burden of ever-growing population of Bengaluru.
OPPOSITION TO RACING
Local residents have got together and formed an organization – Paramparika Kunigal Kudre Ullivagi Horata Samithi to express their opposition to this project which they call it as a commercial deal affecting farmers and the youth to take up betting and other activities. They have submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and state ministers and appealed to the govt to stop the Bangalore Turf Club shifting project to Kunigal.
On February 12, 2026, the Siddaramaiah government approved the shifting of the racing activities of the Bengaluru Turf Club to the Kunigal Stud Farm which is India’s top commercial breeding centre for race horses and is also known for producing bloodstock champions. More than 100 acres of the stud farm is earmarked for the Bangalore Turf Club and they have to shift within two years.
CONCRETIZATION OF GREEN SPACE
This proposal of the Karnataka government has angered the residents of Kunigal and has led to protests by farmers and environmentalists over the conversion of this unique heritage to a racing avenue as this would lead to the destruction of the existing, harmonious ecosystem. Activists say this will add concrete structures, more infrastructure and development of roads thereby, attracting huge crowds from Bengaluru.
Activists in Bengaluru add, “In fact, there is a mention that no construction which affects the environment here can be permitted. Otherwise, the BTC’s permission will lead to concrete club houses, stands, betting area, stables, veterinary hospital, connecting roads, etc which is required for setting up a race course in a new location.”
MASSIVE TREE COVER
Let us not forget the fact that the Kunigal Stud Farm is known for its massive tree cover being home to thousands of trees. Being near the historical Kunigal Lake (spread over 1000 acres), the second largest lake in Karnataka, the Kunigal Stud Farm provides a natural and shaded environment, creating a green oasis in the dusty environment of Kunigal taluk.
Speaking to Green Minute News, Naganna G K from Kunigal adds, “We opposed the integrated township and now it is the BTC. There are so many alternative places where they could shift, why is our lung space being targeted which is home to massive tree cover, and a breeding centre for horses. They have earmarked the land next to the historical Kunigal Kere and this will not only affect the waterbody but also the local people and youth and farmers to go astray – attracted by betting, gambling and drinking activities. Let the turf club stay in Bengaluru.”
UNIQUE SYMBIOTIC ENVIRONMENT
Serving as a vital green space in the bustling town, the Stud Farm has seen plantation of a variety of tree species in the last 250 years. Even the horses that are bred here are lucky to be maintained under the natural shade provided by the massive tree cover. This is a unique symbiotic relationship between horses and the natural environment that has been in existence since centuries.
The Kunigal Stud Farm is known for its vast stretches of tree cover comprising Banyan trees, rain tree, peepul, timber trees, Pongamia, tamarind, fruit and also Sandalwood trees. If some trees are between the ages of 100-150 years, others are more than 250 years old and have received all protection because of its existence inside a horse breeding farm.
HOARY GREEN ASSET
And for this tree protection, one has to be grateful to its owners starting from Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, the Mysore Wodeyar Kings, the colonial Britishers, the Mysore government in 1948 and later by Vijay Mallaya who had been leased this farm for 30 years between 1992-2022. It was only after 2022; the State Government has been looking at this green oasis as a prime area for development due to its location and connectivity to Bengaluru.
The Kunigal Stud Farm is an invaluable green asset which cannot be lost for a commercial venture. Now what will happen to the avian population and hundreds of bird species that have made their home on this massive tree cover? Many bird species come here for nesting and birding every year especially during the winter season.
HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT GOING ON
Vijay Nishant, urban conservationist says, “In cooperation with the people of Kunigal, we are currently working on a holistic environmental assessment of the farm. This is a unique place as it is not only a stud farm where horses are maintained under natural tree shade but it also creates a rare coexistence between animal husbandry and native ecology.”
According to Nishant, ecologically, the area is very significant. It supports a rich biodiversity, and for many bird species, it has been their home, shelter and raising young ones.
Less thatn 50 bird species including peacocks, Indian grey hornbills, Ibises, parakeets, herons, munias and Slender Loris, a Schedule I protected species have been recorded here. The nearby Kunigal Lake further enhances the ecosystem, serving as a forest ecosystem for both avians and other faunal species.
KUNIGAL’S OWN HERITAGE LANDSCAPE
He adds, “This place has existed for 300 years and has grown inseparably with the Kunigal town. Preserving such heritage landscapes is crucial not only for their historical value but also for maintaining green cover, ecological balance, and environmental resilience for future generations.”
Spanning about 400-500 acres, the Kunigal Stud Farm with its 25 paddocks is home to verdant and lush green pastures of Alfalfa, Green oats, and Rhodes grass. And this is very necessary for the equestrian population and the breeding of champion bloodstock.
Kunigal’s nearness to Bengaluru seems to be a bane rather than a boon. Now what will be Kunigal’s fate or will it fall a prey to the prying eyes of the Bangalore Development Authority and the real estate developers just like other open, lung spaces in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Bhopal and other cities in the country have been concretized.