GREEN MINUTE NEWS:
There is urgent intervention needed as environmental destruction is in progress in Karnataka for three major projects – the Bidadi Township, International Cricket Stadium within the ESZ of Bannerghatta National Park, and the shifting of the Bengaluru Turf Club to the pristine green cover of Kunigal Stud Farm. In the last few years, activists, environmentalists and environmental groups are fighting on various platforms while farmers and environmental groups have filed writ petitions in both the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Even as these matters are pending in the court, the Karnataka Government has gone ahead with acquisition of grasslands, scrub forests, farmlands and plantation lands and is bulldozing the implementation of these projects in the Congress-ruled Siddaramaiah government. It is indeed shocking that when Rahul Gandhi is opposing the Nicobar Trans-shipment Project, he is silent when it comes to Karnataka where many an ecologically destructive project has been implemented or is in the pipeline.
There will be large-scale environmental destruction and political misuse of power which is currently unfolding in the state of Karnataka, says Vijay Nishanth, environmentalist and urban conservationist in an appeal to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “I request you to immediately visit Karnataka and stand with the farmers, environmentalists, and local citizens who are fighting to protect forests, biodiversity, heritage lands, and the Constitution of India itself.”
Vijay Nishanth further says, “I had wholeheartedly supported your “Save Nicobar” campaign because I believed you understood that ecological destruction is not merely a regional issue but a national crisis. Today, Karnataka is facing a similar situation where forests, eco-sensitive zones, lakes, agricultural lands, and historical ecosystems are being sacrificed in the name of commercial and political interests.”
BIDADI TOWNSHIP PROJECT
Vast stretches of fertile agricultural lands are being forcefully converted for township development in Bidadi, now has become part of Bengaluru South district. Farmers and local citizens who have peacefully lived and cultivated these lands for generations are being pushed aside. People strongly believe that political influence and land interests are overriding the voices of ordinary citizens. Karnataka cannot lose its agricultural lands merely to satisfy real-estate ambitions.
BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK ESZ
The second and most dangerous issue concerns Bannerghatta National Park, the ecological lung and oxygen chamber of Bengaluru. Bit by bit, this forest ecosystem is being destroyed. What is most unfortunate is that in this issue, both the BJP and Congress appear to be working hand in glove. Adjustment politics between political parties has deeply disappointed citizens who expect opposition parties to defend public interest and environmental justice.
It is shocking the project is moving ahead for one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) surrounding Bannerghatta National Park. At a time, when Bengaluru is already suffering from environmental collapse, water shortages, rising temperatures, and loss of green cover, such projects are nothing short of ecological irresponsibility.
The Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), after visiting the Bannerghatta National Park region in January 2026, reportedly recommended scrapping the weakened 2020 Eco-Sensitive Zone notification and restoring the stronger 2026 draft Eco-Sensitive Zone notification by July 2026. The CEC report further states that the KHB Surya City project falls within the ambit of the 2026 draft Eco-Sensitive Zone notification.
ISSUE PENDING IN SUPREME COURT
Despite this, developmental activities and land-related works continue while multiple petitions filed by farmers and citizens are still pending before various courts, including the Supreme Court. When a matter is under the consideration of the Supreme Court, how can the Congress government in Karnataka proceed with such activities? Does the rule of law no longer matter when powerful political and commercial interests are involved?
“You have always asked the people of India to respect the Constitution of India. Today, when matters concerning the Bannerghatta ESZ are still under the consideration of the Supreme Court, constitutional morality, judicial process, and environmental justice must prevail over political adjustments and corporate interests,” Nishanth writes.
Further, appealing to the Chairman, Central Empowered Committee, Supreme Court, Nishanth states, “This is to bring to your notice that the Supreme Court appointed CEC which furnished its report on January 6, 2026 had rejected the 2020 Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Final Notification for Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and recommended the implementation of the 2016 ESZ draft notification for the BNP.
The case is still pending before the Supreme Court, however, the Karnataka Government, ignoring everything, has inaugurated the construction of an International Cricket Stadium in the Suryanagar, Phase-IV at Anekal taluk, Bengaluru South District. The proposed construction of both the cricket stadium and the Suryanagar, Phase-IV, township falls within the ESZ as per the 2016 draft ESZ notification.
He further appeals, “Kindly ensure the stoppage of this mega construction project as it will not only destroy the ecosystem and biodiversity of the Bannerghatta National Park but also destroy the elephant corridor and affect the movement of elephants in this region. The cricket stadium and the sports complex and other facilities will bring with it massive crowds in this pristine forest habitat and scrublands but also the intense lights used during night matches will cause huge disturbance to the wild animals including elephants, leopards, sloth bear, chital, wild dogs, endangered vultures and other species.”
KUNIGAL STUD FARM
The third issue is the proposed destruction of the historic Kunigal Stud Farm. This horse breeding center, established during the era of Tipu Sultan and the Mysore Maharajas, is more than 200 years old and internationally recognized. It is not merely a piece of land but it is Karnataka’s living heritage.
There are attempts to allocate nearly 110 acres out of the 400-acre stud farm for Bangalore Turf Club-related developments. The people of Kunigal are strongly against this move. The Kunigal Stud Farm and Kunigal Lake which is Karnataka’s second-largest lake have coexisted for centuries, supporting biodiversity, water systems, grasslands, birds, and ecological balance. Destroying this ecosystem for commercial interests would be an irreversible loss to Karnataka’s environmental and cultural heritage.
During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, you met people from all sections of society. But environmentalists, biodiversity defenders, and people protecting India’s forests and ecosystems still remain unheard. The real Bharat Jodo is not only political unity but also protecting the rivers, forests, wildlife, farmers, biodiversity, and ecological heritage that truly unite this nation.
Concluding his appeal to Rahul Gandhi, Nishanth says, “Our National Anthem itself speaks of this sacred land as “Shasya Shyamalam” – green, fertile, and life-giving. If we continue destroying forests, lakes, agricultural lands, and eco-sensitive zones, future generations will never forgive us. I sincerely hope you will personally look into these matters, visit Karnataka, speak with the affected farmers and environmental groups, and stand for environmental justice and constitutional accountability.”