Karnataka declares 8.61-acre Bengaluru green zone as Biodiversity Heritage Site

The Karnataka government has formally notified an 8.61-acre green space near Bengaluru’s Cantonment Railway Station as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, securing long-term protection for its rich ecological and historical value.

The site, covered with 371 mature trees belonging to nearly 50 species, has long acted as a vital ecological buffer in the city’s congested core. Its designation under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, ensures that the trees and their ecosystem will remain shielded from urban development pressures.

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Situated in one of Bengaluru’s busiest transport hubs, the green patch plays a key role in reducing air and noise pollution caused by constant railway and vehicular traffic. Beyond its ecological contribution, the area carries deep historical links, once forming part of the colonial-era parade grounds and remembered as a place connected to India’s freedom movement.

Decision after months of public mobilization

The decision follows months of public mobilization after concerns arose earlier this year over a commercial lease of the land by the railways. Citizens and environmental groups feared large-scale tree loss, prompting widespread campaigns to safeguard the space. Responding to this pressure, the Karnataka Biodiversity Board organized public consultations, which drew overwhelming support for conservation.

With the government’s order dated September 10, the site now enjoys legal protection against future development. The move not only preserves a rare biodiversity hotspot but also safeguards one of central Bengaluru’s last remaining “green lungs” for generations to come.