A key member of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) conducted a critical on-ground inspection of the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) on Friday. This visit comes amidst escalating concerns over the alleged deliberate shrinking of the park's protective eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). The inspection precedes a crucial Supreme Court hearing scheduled for January 7.
On-Ground Assessment of a Shrinking Buffer
CEC member Chandra Prakash Goyal, accompanied by senior forest officials, toured the ESZ boundary to personally assess the implications of its reduction. The site visit was prompted by a petition filed by K Belliappa and others in May 2025. The petition challenges a March 2020 government notification that drastically cut the ESZ, a move being compared to an Aravali-like ecological controversy in Bengaluru's backyard.
The original 2016 preliminary notification had proposed an ESZ of 268.9 square kilometers around BNP. However, the draft notification in 2018 and the final one in 2020 collectively reduced this crucial buffer zone by approximately 100 square kilometers.
Stakeholders Voice Their Concerns
During the inspection, representatives from the Bannerghatta Nature Conservation Trust (BNCT), appearing for the petitioners, made a detailed presentation to the delegation. The panel included PCCF Meenakshi Negi, BNP DCF Kajol Patil, and Conservator of Forests Sivasankar S. The presentation underscored the severe ecological consequences of the ESZ reduction and highlighted the threats posed by rapid urbanization to the region's biodiversity.
Farmers from villages within the ESZ also interacted with the CEC member. They urged the Supreme Court to block permission for any township or residential layout projects—by both private developers and government agencies—in the buffer region. They argued that such development would completely undermine the purpose of the ESZ, which is to act as a vital shield protecting the national park from Bengaluru's expanding urban sprawl.
Fruitful Visit and Forthcoming Report
Terming the visit productive, Chandra Prakash Goyal stated he had heard all stakeholders, including petitioners, villagers, and forest officials. "I visited around six villages within the national park and its boundary areas. I am now aware of issues such as stone quarrying, mining and development of layouts in and around the ESZ," he said.
The inspection report is likely to be submitted to the Supreme Court early next week. Goyal revealed that his assessment went beyond the petition's scope, noting, "I have also taken stock of issues beyond the petition, including areas where ESZ may need to be extended."
On specific allegations that the ESZ reduction was intended to facilitate residential layouts and resorts, Goyal said these claims require verification. "We will have to ascertain whether these developments came up before or after the 2020 notification, as that would give a different dimension to the issue," he explained. He added that the committee would strive to bring "some ecological semblance" to its final report.
