Karnataka High Court Orders Expansion of Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary

Court Directs Karnataka to Include Entire Kappatagudda Reserve Forest in Sanctuary

The Karnataka High Court has instructed the Karnataka government to include the remaining sections of the Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary within the protected sanctuary limits in Gadag district . The directive followed the court’s observation that the official notification issued in May 2019 declared only 244.15 square kilometres as sanctuary land, even though the Karnataka State Wildlife Board had earlier approved protection for a larger forest area.

Court Notes Discrepancy in Sanctuary Size

A Division Bench led by Vibhu Bakhru and C. M. Poonacha examined the case and pointed out the inconsistency in the sanctuary’s declared extent. In its meeting held on 9 January 2019 , the Karnataka State Wildlife Board had recommended declaring the entire Kappatagudda reserve forest —estimated at nearly 300 square kilometres —as a wildlife sanctuary.

However, when the government issued the official notification on 16 May 2019 , only 244.15 square kilometres were notified as protected land, leaving significant portions outside the sanctuary boundary.

Stone-Crushing Industry Petitions Dismissed

The court issued its ruling while dismissing petitions filed by Shivaganga Stone Crushing Industries and other operators located on patta lands near the forest’s fourth block. The petitioners claimed that the sanctuary declaration had affected their business activities because their land fell within the eco-sensitive zone around the protected area.

They requested the court to limit the sanctuary boundaries to 178 square kilometres , the area initially proposed in 2017 . The Bench rejected the plea, holding that conservation decisions must align with recommendations made by statutory wildlife authorities.

Government Asked to Issue Fresh Notification

During the hearing, government representatives admitted that no official documentation explained the reduction in sanctuary size. They also clarified that the reserve forest’s accurate area is about 288 square kilometres , not 300 as previously estimated.

The court concluded that shrinking the protected area without clear justification was arbitrary and directed the state government to issue a fresh notification including the omitted approximately 55 square kilometres of forest.

Important Facts for Exams

• Wildlife sanctuaries in India are notified under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 .

• The National Board for Wildlife advises the government on wildlife conservation policies.

• Eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) are buffer areas around protected regions where certain activities are regulated.

• The Kappatagudda hills are known for biodiversity typical of the Deccan plateau ecosystem .

Provision for Future Boundary Changes

While directing the expansion of the sanctuary, the court clarified that the state government retains the authority to modify protected area boundaries if required. However, any such change must strictly follow procedures laid down under wildlife protection laws and involve consultation with relevant statutory bodies.