Karnataka Establishes 16th Wildlife Conservation Reserve in Scorching Chittapur Region
The State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) of Karnataka has taken a landmark decision to create the state's newest wildlife conservation reserve in an unexpected location. Chittapur taluk in Kalaburagi district, renowned for its blistering summer temperatures that frequently soar between 43°C and 45°C, making it one of Karnataka's hottest regions, will now host a protected sanctuary spanning nearly 3,000 acres.
Unanimous Approval for Allur B Village Reserve
During its meeting on Thursday, the SBWL, chaired by Chief Minister and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, unanimously approved a proposal from the Kalaburagi district administration. The board resolved to notify 2,877 acres of village land at Allur B in Chittapur taluk as Karnataka's 16th wildlife conservation reserve. This significant decision follows extensive groundwork by local authorities.
The Allur B gram panchayat successfully secured villagers' consent for the conservation reserve through a special gram sabha conducted several months ago, as required under Section 36(A) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The proposal was subsequently forwarded to the SBWL via the district administration, culminating in Thursday's approval.
Biodiversity in a Harsh Landscape
Officials presenting to the SBWL described the proposed reserve area as featuring undulating terrain dotted with small and medium-sized hillocks amidst verdant landscapes. Despite the region's reputation for extreme heat, researchers have documented rich biodiversity, including:
- Leopards
- Wild boars
- Chital (spotted deer)
- Muntjac deer
- Wildcats
- Pangolins
- Jackals
The SBWL acknowledged this floral and faunal diversity as justification for protected status. The last conservation reserve declared by the board was the Greater Hesaraghatta Conservation Reserve (GHCR), making the Allur B reserve a significant addition to Karnataka's conservation network.
IIM-B Campus Cleared Amid Bannerghatta ESZ Controversy
In a separate but related development, the SBWL meeting also addressed the contentious issue of development near protected areas. The board granted approval for the first phase of construction for a new campus of the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru (IIM-B), within the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Bannerghatta National Park (BNP).
The premier business school plans to establish a new campus on 110 acres near Jigani, with a project outlay of ₹450 crore. Phase-1 work required SBWL clearance due to its overlap with the proposed ESZ. This decision comes despite ongoing controversy and legal scrutiny.
Recently, the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) criticized the state government for failing to regulate urbanization around Bannerghatta. The CEC recommended restoring the original 100 sq km ESZ notified in 2016. With the matter still pending before the Supreme Court, the SBWL's approval for IIM-B's campus represents a significant development in the complex balance between conservation and institutional growth.
