The Karnataka government's decision to construct a large international cricket stadium near Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) has drawn strong opposition from environmental activists and local residents, even as the Supreme Court continues to examine the eco-sensitive buffer zone surrounding the park.
Stadium Details and Location
The proposed 80,000-capacity stadium, touted as the second largest in India, is to be built at Indlawadi village in Anekal taluk of Bengaluru Urban district. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone on Saturday. The 70-acre site identified for the stadium falls within the larger eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of BNP, the extent of which remains under judicial scrutiny.
Buffer Zone Controversy
In 2020, the buffer zone around BNP was reduced from 268 square kilometers to 168 square kilometers through a government notification. However, after the move was challenged in the Supreme Court, a court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) inspected the area earlier this year and recommended restoring the original 268 square kilometer buffer zone. Activists questioned how the government could proceed with the stadium project when the ESZ issue is still pending before the apex court.
Environmental Concerns
Environmentalists warned that floodlights, heavy traffic, crowd noise, and rapid urbanization could severely disturb the fragile ecosystem around BNP. The region is a critical elephant corridor and an important ecological link connecting the Cauvery and Male Mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuaries. Shivakumar, a farmer from Indlawadi village, noted that the project site is barely half a kilometer from the forest boundary. He said, "The stadium will create a lot of noise and disturb animals. In such situations, their behavior could become unpredictable and that could endanger farmers and villagers in the vicinity."
Project Cost and Development
The stadium, estimated to cost Rs 943.4 crore, is being developed by the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB), which floated tenders in April. The project has raised concerns about the potential impact on wildlife and the local community, with activists calling for a halt until the Supreme Court resolves the ESZ matter.
