Karnataka High Court Issues Notice On PIL To Declare Mullayanagiri Hills As 'Conservation Reserve', Halt All Construction

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (July 30) issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking declaration of the entire Mullayanagiri Hills area, which has the highest peak in Karnataka, as a conservation reserve under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha ordered notice to the respondents and posted the matter on November 4.

The PIL has been filed by The Bhadra Wildlife Conservation Trust and Wildlife Conservation Action Team, seeking declaration of Mullayanagiri Hills as Conservation Reserve under Section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and establishing a Management Committee under Section 36B to manage and maintain the reserve. The plea also seeks to halt all ongoing construction activities in the area and restrain further building approvals and tourist operations.

The petitioners argued that despite the State Government issuing repeated draft proposals post 2019, the extent of the proposed conservation reserve has been "constantly reduced" in all of them, and they have not been implemented yet.

It was submitted that the entire Mullayanagiri Hills area spans approximately 23,000 acres. With repeated draft proposals, the total area to be brought under the reserve was reduced to 10,000 acres as of now, the counsel for the Trust submitted.

The petitioners also expressed apprehension that the remaining extent would "constantly be eaten up" in a similar manner.

The petitioners also highlighted concerns about landslides and unchecked tourism due to ongoing construction activities since the draft proposals have not come to fruition.

When the counsel sought for an interim direction, the court said that the State should first respond in the matter.

Government Advocate accepted notice on behalf of State Government, Chief Conservator of Forests, Deputy Conservator of Forests, District Commissioner, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.

For context, the hills area in Chikmanglur District is a part of the Western Ghats. The area falls within the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Bhadra Tiger reserve. Earlier, in 2016, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change had issued a notification, declaring the area of 740.76 sq.kms., surrounding Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, as Eco-Sensitive Zone.

Since it is said to fall within the eco sensitive zone, the petitioners themselves had submitted a representation, even before 2020, to the Chikamanglur Deputy Conservator of Forests to declare the said Mullayanagiri hills area as a 'Conservation Reserve.

Back in 2019, in a connected matter, the High Court had directed that a declaration under Section 36-A of the 1972 Act as proposed by the State Wildlife Board shall be published within a period of four months. The court had then also noted that once the declaration is published, the government should take immediate steps for constituting Conservation Reserve Management Committee, in terms of Section 36-D of the said Act.

Case Title: The Bhadra Wildlife Conservation Trust & Wildlife Conservation Action Team v. State of Karnataka & Anr.

Case No: WP 21508/2026