Karnataka Faces 44,800 Forest Encroachment Cases, Threatening Wildlife Corridors

Quick Summary

• Karnataka faces a backlog of 44,812 forest encroachment cases as of March 31, 2025.
• In the fiscal year 2024-25, onyl 243 cases were resolved out of these pending encroachments, while 559 new encroachment cases were registered during the same period.
• Conservationists warn that at this slow pace,reclaiming degraded forestland could take decades and lead to irreversible damage.
• Encroachments impact wildlife habitats across reserve forests and sensitive areas like tiger reserves (Bandipur division has 204 pending cases; Bannerghatta has 636), wildlife sanctuaries, and landscapes prone to human-animal conflict.
• Divisions with high fresh encroachments in 2024-25 include Shivamogga (38), Bhadravati (53), Sagara (69), Kanara circle (69), Belagavi (49), Chikkamagalur (41), Kalaburgi (80).
• Activists have expressed concerns over weak enforcement due to field-level mismanagement and lack of political support for eviction measures-also questioning the effectiveness of state-level monitoring systems.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The forest encroachment crisis in Karnataka reflects deep-rooted policy enforcement challenges amidst critical ecological pressures.The low resolution rate compared to newly registered cases suggests issues with administrative efficiency and inadequate coordination between agencies tasked with preventing habitat degradation.Wildlife zones affected by long-pending encroachments exacerbate risks such as habitat loss,restricted animal movement corridors,and increased human-animal conflicts-a growing concern across regions neighboring forests like mysuru or Chamarajanagar.Despite directives from central authorities advocating biannual review mechanisms by monitoring committees to address these concerns systematically, implementation remains patchy.

As India’s conservation efforts expand alongside rising wildlife populations-a positive trend overall-the state’s inability to address illegal occupation on time risks undermining both biodiversity protection goals and rural safety near sensitive zones. efficient resolution frameworks rooted in accountability could offer a way forward for balancing ecological integrity with local community well-being.read more: The Hindu