Karnataka High Court Intervenes to Protect Bengaluru's Roerich Estate
The Karnataka High Court has issued a significant directive to both the state and central governments. The court ordered them to ensure no development activities proceed at the Roerich and Devika Rani estate on Bengaluru's outskirts.
Court Proceedings and Petitioner's Concerns
A division bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha delivered this direction. They were hearing a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by the RR Nagar I Care Trust from Bengaluru.
The trust challenged a December 24, 2024 notification. This notification granted approval for an eco-tourism and cultural hub project at the estate. The next hearing for this petition is scheduled for February 16.
During the proceedings, the state's counsel requested additional time to file a statement of objections. Representing the central government, Deputy Solicitor General Shanthi Bhushan H made a clear statement. He stated that no proposal regarding this specific project had reached the Centre. At this stage, implementation remains impossible.
Ecological Threats and Legal Arguments
The petitioner trust raised serious ecological concerns about the proposed project. They argued that building a 450-car parking facility and visitor accommodations would harm the area's delicate ecology.
This concern stems from the estate's location. It abuts the Bannerghatta forest range, which serves as a crucial elephant corridor. The trust emphasized that both the master plan and central eco-tourism rules explicitly prohibit disturbing the ecology.
Beyond challenging the project, the petitioner trust sought additional directions from the court. They requested the estate board to conduct scientific profiling of environmental, ecological, and wildlife factors. The trust also asked for a development plan aligned with the estate's acquisition intent.
Furthermore, they sought a declaration for the contiguous area of the estate. They want it designated as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. Alternatively, they proposed establishing a conservation reserve for the remaining estate land.
Irony in Security Requests Highlights Project Risks
Recent events have added another layer of complexity to this situation. The tourism department continues pushing forward with eco-tourism plans at the Roerich Estate. They appear to overlook concerns previously raised by the forest department.
Meanwhile, a request from the estate board has left forest officials puzzled. As part of the Creative City Bengaluru festival, the Tataguni estate on Kanakapura Road will host approximately 25 artists from Russia and Austria. The event involves a two-day sketching session this Friday and Saturday.
Citing the presence of dangerous wild animals on the premises, the estate board sought extra protection. They formally requested the forest department to deploy additional forest and security personnel for both event days. This request aimed to ensure the safety of visiting artists.
Conservationists immediately termed this request ironic. They pointed out that the forest department had earlier warned about elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and other wildlife in the area. The tourism department downplayed these warnings while planning the large-scale eco-tourism project.
One conservationist posed a critical question. If a two-day event requires additional security, imagine the risks of opening the estate to thousands of daily tourists. The threat to human life would increase significantly. Security costs would become enormous. This situation urges the government to seriously reconsider the entire project proposal.
