The High Court of Karnataka has issued a notice to the state government regarding a petition to declare Mullayyanagiri Hills a conservation reserve [1].
This legal move represents a critical effort to protect the Chikkamagaluru district's landscape from degradation. Because the area is ecologically fragile, formal designation could provide the legal framework necessary to prevent further environmental damage, and regulate human activity in the region [1].
The petition asks the court to designate the hills as a conservation reserve under Section 36A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 [1]. This specific legal mechanism allows for the protection of areas that are not necessarily national parks or sanctuaries, but still possess significant biological value [1].
By invoking the 1972 Act, the petitioners aim to secure a higher tier of government oversight for the Mullayyanagiri Hills. Such a designation would mandate stricter enforcement of environmental laws and limit industrial or commercial encroachment in the Chikkamagaluru district [1].
The court is now awaiting a response from the state government to determine if the designation is feasible and aligned with current land-use policies [1]. The outcome of this plea will decide whether the hills receive permanent legal protection or remain under general state administration [1].
“The High Court of Karnataka has issued a notice to the state government regarding a petition to declare Mullayyanagiri Hills a conservation reserve.”
This case highlights the ongoing tension between regional development and environmental preservation in India. If the court mandates the conservation reserve status, it sets a precedent for using Section 36A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act to shield fragile ecosystems that do not meet the full criteria of a national park but are too vulnerable to remain unprotected.
