BDA To Protect Two Wildlife Corridors Near Bannerghatta National Park and Kanakapura

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) announced that it will take charge of protecting and managing two key wildlife corridors near Bannerghatta National Park and Kanakapura. The commitment was made during the Bengaluru launch of 'The Last Pathways: Wildlife Corridors of Karnataka', a new book documenting 46 wildlife corridors across the state.

The book represents the first state-wide documentation of its kind in Karnataka. It maps out critical pathways that support a wide array of large mammals, spanning across various landscapes including forests, scrub lands, plantations, and human-inhabited regions.

BDA Commissioner P. Manivannan, who attended the launch event, delivered the commitment on behalf of BDA Chairman N.A. Harris. He stated that the authority would take care of the designated wildlife corridors located near Bannerghatta National Park and Kanakapura to ensure their preservation.

Sanjay Gubbi, a prominent wildlife biologist and the chief author of the book, explained that the publication is the result of a rigorous research project that began five years ago. The study required 222 person days of field work to compile the comprehensive data.

During the event, Gubbi recalled instances of encountering various animals moving across scattered patches of forests. These included large mammals such as tigers and sloth bears, as well as smaller species like hyenas, which travel long distances through these corridors. He highlighted these movements to illustrate why preserving connected pathways is critical to wildlife conservation.

Gubbi also emphasized that the documentation is intended to assist in policy formulation. He noted the importance of maintaining a balance between infrastructure development and environmental conservation. "We need to look at pragmatic solutions than emotional outcries," Gubbi said during the launch.

The integration of this research into government policy is already underway. Biswajit Mishra, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), revealed that discussions on Karnataka's Draft Wildlife Corridor Improvement Policy are in advanced stages. Mishra noted that the inputs and data from the newly released book will be actively used by officials when making future policy decisions.