Archive · 3 Jan 2026
SC Panel Reviews Bannerghatta ESZ Reduction
The Supreme Court sent a team to visit Bannerghatta National Park in Karnataka.
The park is surrounded by a special area called an Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) to protect nature.
In 2016, the government proposed a large ESZ, but in 2020, they made it much smaller.
Some people who care about the environment think this was because of people who want to build houses or mine in the area.
They also say important places for elephants were left out.
The Supreme Court wants to check if the decision was fair and if the park is being protected properly.
The team visited the park, talked to officials, and will submit a report to the court.
The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) visited Bannerghatta National Park to review the reduction in the Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
The ESZ was reduced from 290 square kilometers in 2016 to 168 square kilometers in 2020, excluding ecologically sensitive areas and elephant corridors.
Petitioners allege that the reduction was influenced by real estate developers and mining interests, and that it weakens wildlife protection.
The CEC member held meetings with forest department officials to assess the ecological impact and compile data for their report.
The case is scheduled for a hearing on January 7, with the CEC's report to be submitted before that date.
- Who
- Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), Karnataka Forest Department, Petitioners (K Belliappa and others), Karnataka Government
- What
- Review of the reduction in the Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Bannerghatta National Park
- When
- Today (specific date not mentioned), Hearing scheduled for January 7
- Where
- Bannerghatta National Park, Karnataka, India
- Why
- To assess the ecological impact of the reduced ESZ and allegations of influence from vested interests
- Location
- Bannerghatta National Park, Karnataka
- Proposed ESZ Area (2016)
- 290 square kilometers
- Final ESZ Area (2020)
- 168 square kilometers
- Key Exclusions
- Ecologically sensitive areas and elephant corridors
- Petitioners' Allegations
- Influence from real estate and mining interests
- Hearing Date
- January 7
- Mining Ban
- Banned within 1 km of national park
