More than a century after Bengaluru witnessed the creation of its iconic green lungs—Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Cubbon Park—the city is now poised to welcome a massive biodiversity park in North Bengaluru. Spread across 153.4 acres of the Madappanahalli reserve forest near Yelahanka, the project promises to be a breath of fresh air for the fast-growing region.
Currently covered in eucalyptus plantations maintained by the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation (KFDC), the land was officially handed back to the Forest Department in the presence of Minister Eshwar Khandre, marking the project’s symbolic beginning. The plan includes clearing the non-native eucalyptus and restoring the area with indigenous species over the next 2.5 years.
“This is the first mega green initiative since Cubbon Park’s development in 1870,” noted Khandre. The government has sanctioned ₹20 crore for Phase 1, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared based on expert and public input. Proposed features include a Kempegowda Mini Zoo, Basaveshwara Medicinal Garden, Ambedkar Aviary, and more.
Environmentalists have raised concerns about converting a reserve forest into a tourism-centric space, urging the government to preserve the ecological integrity of the forest, ideally treating it as a buffer zone to protect nearby wildlife in Jarakbande Kaval.
Responding to these, Khandre assured that no non-forest activity will be permitted without appropriate clearances and the park’s primary goal remains ecological restoration and green space expansion for the city.
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