A living forest in Bengaluru is being destroyed right before our eyes.

The 711-acre Kadugodi Reserve Forest, home to hundreds of peacocks and countless other species, is under severe threat from illegal deforestation and attempts to divert forest land for development. Mature trees have been cut, fires have repeatedly broken out in the forest, and government departments are now attempting to convert recently restored forest land into a technology park.

This is not just about one forest — it is about the future of Bengaluru’s and Karnataka's environment.

🚨 SHOCKING DEVELOPMENTS

The 711-acre Kadugodi Reserve Forest in Whitefield, Bengaluru is under severe threat from a combination of illegal deforestation, real-estate pressure, and government mismanagement.

Two recent developments have put this vital forest at immediate risk:

1️⃣ Illegal Tree Felling and Wildlife Destruction

A densely wooded 79-acre patch of the forest has been heavily damaged, with a majority of its 400 mature “grandmother trees” illegally felled in 2025-26. Multiple FIRs have been filed in connection with this destruction.

 

 

Residents report that since 2023, several fire incidents occurred in this forest area, which were extinguished by the Fire Department and reported in the media. Neighbours allege that these fires may have been used to drive away wildlife, including hundreds of peacocks, our national bird and protected species, and other birds, before heavy machinery moved in to uproot trees.

Police action has now begun:

• The GBA Forest Cell has filed an FIR against the Embassy Group for illegal tree felling.
• The Karnataka Forest Department has filed two additional FIRs against the same group:
  • one for illegal felling of sandalwood trees, and
  • another for illegal transport of timber.

2️⃣ Fresh Attempt to Divert Forest Land

In February 2026, the Karnataka Revenue Department initiated a new attempt to divert about 120 acres of Kadugodi forest land for a software technology park, which was only recently recovered by the Forest Dept.

• A meeting involving nine government departments was convened on 18 February 2026 to discuss this proposal.
• This land had recently been restored to the Forest Department, and diverting it again would reverse conservation efforts and threaten the future of the forest.

 
🚨 GOVERNMENT MISMANAGEMENT

Landmark Supreme Court Order (May 2025)

 

 

• In May 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued a landmark order in the case In Re: T.N. Godavarman Thirumalpad v. Union of India, directing all State Governments to return forest lands that had been diverted to other departments back to the Forest Department and ensure their protection.
• Despite this directive, the Govt has failed to restore the entirety of 711 acres of Kadugodi Reserve Forest, and it continues to face threats and uncertainty.

Attempt to Reverse Restoration

• Forest Department Recovered 120 Acres
  Following the Supreme Court order, the Karnataka Forest Department recovered nearly 120 acres of the 711-acre Kadugodi Reserve Forest in June 2025.
• The department began restoring the land by planting saplings, recognising its importance as a critical green lung for Bengaluru.
• Despite these efforts, the Revenue Department is now attempting to reacquire the same land for development, which directly contradicts:
  • the Supreme Court’s order, and
  • the Forest Department’s restoration efforts.

These developments have been reported by newspapers.

 
🌱 Why This Matters

• Bengaluru has lost nearly 97% of its green cover over the last five decades, according to research from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).  From 68% in 1970, it is merely around 2% now.

 

 

• A city requires at least 30% green cover for ecological stability, yet Bengaluru is estimated to have only about 2–3% remaining.
• This dramatic loss has already resulted in:
  • rising temperatures
  • severe flooding
  • worsening air pollution
  • rapid loss of biodiversity
• The Kadugodi Reserve Forest is one of the largest remaining forest patches in the city. Once lost, such ecosystems cannot be recreated, and its protection is essential for air quality, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
• Protecting this forest is essential for clean air, biodiversity, climate resilience, and the health of future generations.
• The land that is now being proposed for diversion was recently restored to the Forest Department under Supreme Court orders.
• Allowing it to be diverted again would set a dangerous precedent and undermine both:
  • the authority of the Supreme Court, and
  • the protection of Bengaluru’s remaining forests

By signing this petition, we stand together to preserve clean air, ecological balance, and a healthy environment for the people of Bengaluru and India.

 
OUR DEMANDS

We urge the Government of Karnataka to:

• Fully implement the Supreme Court’s May 2025 order
• Protect all 711 acres of Kadugodi Reserve Forest
• Cancel any proposal to divert the restored 120 acres
• Stop all construction, encroachment, and real-estate activity on forest land
• Conduct a thorough investigation into illegal tree felling and land diversion
• Undertake ecological restoration and long-term protection of the forest
• Ensure the land remains permanently under the Forest Department
   

----------------------------------------------------- 

✊ Take Action
📌 Please sign and share widely with friends, family, community groups, and environmental organisations.
📌 Tag decision-makers on social media to amplify our collective voice.

Together we can protect one of Bengaluru’s last remaining forests before it is lost forever.

----------------------------------------------------- 
References

Twitter Campaign - Save Kadugodi Forest: https://x.com/WhitefieldWards/status/1924241878628925647 

Bengaluru's dire ecological condition:    https://researchmatters.in/article/satellite-images-show-green-cover-bangalore-reducing-alarmingly-fast

Supreme Court Order directing return of all diverted forest lands: https://verdictum.in/amp/court-updates/supreme-court/in-re-tn-godavarman-thirumalpad-v-union-of-india-2025-insc-701-forest-lands-possession-1577716

Kadugodi Forest News Reports
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/revenue-department-calls-meeting-on-bengalurus-kadugodi-land-which-forest-dept-has-vowed-to-preserve-as-lung-space-3901142

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/legal-opinion-sought-to-resolve-dispute-over-120-acres-of-kadugodi-forest-3902436

 

Records: