Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed a set of initiatives during the State Budget presentation to tackle human-animal conflict, boost forest conservation, and enhance environmental infrastructure. Over the past three years, the government has allocated Rs 1,044 crore to manage human-animal conflicts, covering compensation for damages, new task forces, and protective measures like railway barricades and solar fencing.
To further address human-animal conflicts, the Karnataka Man-Animal Conflict Mitigation Programme will be launched with a budget of Rs 1,500 crore over the next five years, with Rs 269 crore set aside for the current fiscal year. Additionally, 5,676 acres of Hesaraghatta Grassland in Bengaluru will be designated as the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve for conservation efforts.
Plans include establishing a Leopard Rehabilitation Centre in Bannerghatta at a cost of Rs 5 crore to relocate leopards from residential areas. The government will also bolster the Forest Department by recruiting 2,000 personnel in various roles by the financial year 2026-27.
Furthermore, a Nature Interpretation Centre will be set up through a Public-Private Partnership model to enhance visitor experiences at the Mysore Zoo and Bannerghatta Biological Park. Afforestation initiatives will prioritize districts with less than 10% forest cover, with plans to afforest 75,000 hectares and allocate Rs 150 crore, including Rs 50 crore from the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board.
Moreover, a 153-acre area in Madappanahalli, Bengaluru North taluk, will be transformed into the Cultural Leader Basavanna Biodiversity Park. The government will establish 15 new continuous ambient air quality monitoring centers to monitor air quality statewide. Additionally, a memorial will be erected in memory of environmental activist Salumarada Thimmakka near Hulikal-Kudur.
