+
NHAI asks govt for diversion of forest land in Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Real Estate

NHAI asks govt for diversion of forest land in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for the diversion of forest land of about 24-acre of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, expanding the NH-181 from Melukamanahalli to Kekkanahalla for 13.2 km.

NHs, NH-181 and NH-766, pass through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and NH-181 caters to tourists travelling to Ooty and other places.

Guruprasad Timmapur, a wildlife activist, said that the highway expansion plan falls under category A project of the national park according to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006.

For Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which is an eco-sensitive zone, EAI is needed for widening the roads. However, NHAI claims that no EAI is required for the expansion project, which the conservationists have mentioned as a complete violation of the laws.

The Karnataka High Court has ordered closing the roads at night except emergency vehicles and 16 public transport buses because of the disturbance caused by the vehicles on the highways through Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

Timmapur said that the highway has largely affected wildlife by restricting the movement of animals, wildlife mortality, and accidents, impact on wildlife behaviour, pollution, and noise. Many wildlife species have died on the highways because of the vehicles passing through Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

In a report titled as the Guidelines for Roads in Protected Areas, the sub-committee of the National Board for Wildlife said that the highways should have a status quo, which passes through National Parks and tiger habitats. It also says that the roads should be repaired and maintained in the best ways. It forbids widening or upgrading the highways.

On May 29, in a letter, the executive engineer of NHAI wrote to the assistant executive engineer of NHAI to begin the work without any hindrance from the Forest Department.

But according to the Forest Department, they have not received any proposal regarding the project.

Image Source

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for the diversion of forest land of about 24-acre of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, expanding the NH-181 from Melukamanahalli to Kekkanahalla for 13.2 km. NHs, NH-181 and NH-766, pass through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and NH-181 caters to tourists travelling to Ooty and other places. Guruprasad Timmapur, a wildlife activist, said that the highway expansion plan falls under category A project of the national park according to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006. For Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which is an eco-sensitive zone, EAI is needed for widening the roads. However, NHAI claims that no EAI is required for the expansion project, which the conservationists have mentioned as a complete violation of the laws. The Karnataka High Court has ordered closing the roads at night except emergency vehicles and 16 public transport buses because of the disturbance caused by the vehicles on the highways through Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Timmapur said that the highway has largely affected wildlife by restricting the movement of animals, wildlife mortality, and accidents, impact on wildlife behaviour, pollution, and noise. Many wildlife species have died on the highways because of the vehicles passing through Bandipur Tiger Reserve. In a report titled as the Guidelines for Roads in Protected Areas, the sub-committee of the National Board for Wildlife said that the highways should have a status quo, which passes through National Parks and tiger habitats. It also says that the roads should be repaired and maintained in the best ways. It forbids widening or upgrading the highways. On May 29, in a letter, the executive engineer of NHAI wrote to the assistant executive engineer of NHAI to begin the work without any hindrance from the Forest Department. But according to the Forest Department, they have not received any proposal regarding the project. Image Source

Next Story
Real Estate

Heena Lalwani Buys Rs 1.13 Billion Juhu Apartment

Heena Lalwani, promoter of Aatman Innovations Private Limited, has purchased a luxury apartment worth Rs 1.13 billion in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.com.The 9,862 sq ft apartment, located on the 10th floor of Lodha Developers’ Avalon Tower, was acquired at Rs 115,000 per sq ft and comes with five car parking spaces. The deal, registered on 18 August 2025, also included the payment of Rs 68 million in stamp duty and a Rs 30,000 registration fee.Lodha Developers did not respond to queries regarding the transaction, while the..

Next Story
Real Estate

Godrej Buys KPHB Land for Rs 7 Billion in E-Auction

An acre of prime land in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB), Hyderabad, was auctioned for Rs 7 billion, with the Telangana Housing Board generating Rs 5.47 billion from the sale of 7.8 acres through e-auction on 20 August 2025.The auction notification was issued last month, attracting bids from Godrej Properties, Aurobindo Realty, Prestige Estates, and Ashoka Builders, according to Board vice-chairman V.P. Gautham. With an offset price of Rs 4 billion per acre, the three-hour auction saw 46 bid increases, before Godrej Properties acquired the land.Revenue generated from the auction will be utilis..

Next Story
Real Estate

HMDA to Auction 93 Prime Plots in September

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to conduct a three-day auction of prime open plots across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts this September.According to official reports, the e-auction will take place on 17, 18, and 19 September, offering 93 plots. Of these, 70 are located in the Bachupally HMDA layout, with the remainder spread across Turkayamjal, Kokapet, Poppalguda, Chandanagar, Bairagiguda, Gandi Maisamma, Suraram, Medipally, and Bachupally village.The highest upset price has been fixed at Rs 175,000 per square yard for a land parce..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?