Bannerghatta Eco-Sensitive Zone Restoration Could Impact Major Projects Around Bengaluru
Several housing layouts, resorts, and institutional projects around Bannerghatta National Park may soon face closer scrutiny. This comes after a Supreme Court-appointed panel recommended restoring the eco-sensitive zone around the park to its original size as proposed in 2016.
If the recommendation is accepted by the Supreme Court, it could significantly change the future of development around one of Bengaluru’s most important wildlife habitats.
What Is the Eco-Sensitive Zone and Why It Matters
Understanding the Bannerghatta Eco-Sensitive Zone
An eco-sensitive zone, or ESZ, is a buffer area created around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The goal is to reduce human pressure on protected areas by regulating activities that could harm wildlife, forests, and ecosystems.
In the case of Bannerghatta National Park, the ESZ was first proposed in 2016 to cover about 100 square kilometers. This buffer was meant to protect wildlife corridors, reduce noise and pollution, and control rapid urban expansion near the forest.
The 2020 Reduction That Changed Everything
In 2020, the extent of the ESZ around Bannerghatta was significantly reduced through a final notification. This dilution opened up large stretches of land near the park for development.
Following this decision, multiple residential layouts, resorts, educational institutions, and commercial establishments began taking shape along the park’s boundaries.
Supreme Court Panel Recommends Rolling Back the Reduction
Central Empowered Committee Steps In
The Central Empowered Committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to examine environmental matters, recently recommended restoring the ESZ to its original 2016 extent.
According to the committee, the reduced buffer zone could pose long-term risks to wildlife and forest ecology. The recommendation has now brought renewed attention to all projects that came up after 2020.
Projects Likely to Come Under Review
Environmental groups believe that restoring the original ESZ could have a major impact on ongoing and completed developments near the park. Any project falling within the restored zone would have to undergo fresh scrutiny and ecological assessment.
Large Housing Layouts Could Be Affected
Surya City Phase-4 in Focus
One of the biggest projects that could be impacted is the Karnataka Housing Board’s Surya City Phase-4 layout. Spread across around 2,200 acres, the project proposes nearly 36,000 residential plots.
Conservationists point out that the entire layout falls within the eco-sensitive zone as proposed in the 2016 draft notification. If the zone is restored, the project may face restrictions or require detailed environmental evaluation.
Concerns Over Urban Sprawl
Environmental experts argue that such massive housing developments increase pressure on forests by bringing more traffic, pollution, water demand, and waste generation close to wildlife habitats.
They warn that unchecked urban expansion near Bannerghatta could disrupt animal movement and lead to more human-wildlife conflict.
Resorts, Hotels, and Homestays Also Under Scanner
Tourism Growth Near the Park
After the ESZ was reduced in 2020, several resorts, hotels, and homestays came up near Bannerghatta National Park. These establishments cater to tourists looking for nature stays close to the city.
While eco-tourism is allowed in eco-sensitive zones, it is subject to strict regulations. Conservationists fear that commercial tourism, if not carefully monitored, can harm fragile ecosystems.
Commercial Activities Face Restrictions
Under ESZ guidelines, purely commercial activities are not permitted. Even permitted activities such as tourism and agriculture must follow strict environmental norms.
If the ESZ is restored, many hospitality projects may have to justify their presence and prove that they do not harm the surrounding ecology.
Proposed IIM Campus Raises Fresh Questions
Education vs Environmental Impact
Another major project under discussion is a proposed 300-acre campus of the Indian Institute of Management near Bannerghatta.
While educational institutions are not outright banned within eco-sensitive zones, experts say that large campuses can bring indirect environmental pressure.
Traffic and Infrastructure Concerns
A campus of this scale could significantly increase vehicle movement, infrastructure demand, and human activity near the forest. Conservationists argue that even non-commercial projects must be assessed for their long-term ecological impact.
What Happens If the ESZ Is Restored
Mandatory Environmental Assessments
If the Supreme Court accepts the recommendation, all existing and proposed activities within the restored ESZ will need to be assessed for their environmental impact.
Projects that fail to meet ecological standards may face restrictions, modifications, or even cancellation in some cases.
Zonal Monitoring Plan to Be Prepared
As part of the recommendation, a zonal monitoring plan must be prepared within six months. This plan will define what activities are allowed, restricted, or prohibited within different parts of the eco-sensitive zone.
Monitoring Committee With Experts
A monitoring committee will also be formed to oversee activities within the ESZ. This committee will include ecologists, wildlife experts, representatives from local panchayats, and government officials.
The goal is to ensure that development, if allowed, happens responsibly and does not threaten the park’s biodiversity.
State Government’s Stand on the Issue
Waiting for the Supreme Court Verdict
The Karnataka government has clarified that the recommendation is not a final decision. Officials say they will wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict before taking any action.
The government has also stated that it remains committed to protecting biodiversity while balancing development needs.
Reviewing Past Decisions
The forest and environment minister said the state will review the circumstances under which the ESZ was reduced in 2020. Authorities will also examine what activities came up in the area after the final notification.
If the court accepts the recommendation, the government will assess how many citizens and projects are affected and plan appropriate measures.
A Larger Debate: Development vs Conservation
Bengaluru’s Expanding Footprint
As Bengaluru continues to expand, areas around forests and green spaces are increasingly coming under pressure. Bannerghatta National Park serves as a critical lung space and wildlife refuge for the city.
Experts say decisions taken today will shape the ecological future of the region for decades.
Balancing Growth and Nature
While development is essential for housing and education, environmentalists stress that it must not come at the cost of irreversible ecological damage.
The Bannerghatta ESZ debate highlights the ongoing struggle to balance urban growth with conservation in a rapidly developing city.
What Lies Ahead
The Supreme Court’s decision will be crucial in determining the fate of development projects around Bannerghatta National Park. If the ESZ is restored, it could mark a major shift in how Bengaluru plans its growth near sensitive ecological zones.
For now, developers, residents, conservationists, and policymakers are all watching closely as the legal and environmental process unfolds.
