Bengaluru has lost its green cover equating to approximately 700 football fields: Minister Khandre

Karnataka’s Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister, Eshwar Khandre, informed the Legislative Assembly on December 7 that approximately 2,871 acres of land in the state still face encroachment issues.

However, there has been successful clearance of encroachments from 403 acres of land. The minister highlighted a distressing decline in green cover in Bengaluru over recent years, equating to the loss of greenery on approximately 700 football fields.

Khandre attributed the reduction in green cover to factors such as the fragmentation of forests caused by major projects like the Peripheral Ring Road and the improper disposal of solid waste near forested areas. He underscored the resultant escalation of human-animal conflicts in various parts of the state capital, connecting it to the diminished natural habitat.

In response to a query from BJP MLA M Satish Reddy regarding recent leopard attacks in Bengaluru's suburbs, Minister Khandre shared that a dedicated leopard task force has been established.

This task force aims to capture leopards promptly when they are sighted in residential areas, thereby addressing concerns related to wildlife encounters in urban regions. The minister's remarks shed light on the interconnected challenges of urban development, environmental conservation, and wildlife management in the context of Karnataka's capital city.