Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga (KER) has submitted a memorandum to Eshwar Khandre, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka, seeking immediate rejection of proposals for constructing a new road through the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
In its representation dated February 9, 2026, KER has objected to reported efforts by Madikeri MLA, Dr. Mantar Gowda, to secure budgetary sanction for the proposed Pushpagiri road and to revive pending proposals on the PARIVESH portal (Proposal Nos. WL/KA/SRY/531822/2025 and FP/KA/ROAD/562434/2025).
Referring to past legal proceedings, the organisation stated that the issue had previously come under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court of India. An Interlocutory Application (IA No. 2530 of 2009) had led to a site inspection by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). In its order dated February 24, 2012, the CEC reportedly observed that actions of certain officials and elected representatives, in defiance of court directions, had undermined the authority of the apex court.
The memorandum further cited an order dated December 13, 2022, by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), directing the Chief Secretary of Karnataka to ensure compliance and initiate action within three months concerning violations linked to the road proposal.
KER also drew attention to a policy decision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) dated December 22, 2014, which specifies that no new roads shall be constructed within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The organisation maintained that, in light of the existing legal position and affidavits filed earlier before the apex court, pursuing the project would be legally untenable.
Expressing concern over what it termed as a “fresh attempt” to revive the project despite past court interventions, KER urged the Minister to intervene, review the matter comprehensively, and ensure that no budgetary sanction is granted. It also called for the rejection of the pending proposals on the PARIVESH portal by the competent authorities.
The memorandum, signed by KER Secretary T.M. Somaiah, has been marked to senior forest officials, including the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (FC), and the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle.
The proposed road through Pushpagiri Sanctuary has remained a contentious issue in Kodagu for over a decade, drawing repeated legal and environmental scrutiny.
KER-Memorandum-Forest-Minister-Kadamakal-Road-Similarly, it is perplexing as to why the quashed Mysore – Kushalnagar Railway Line Project, is trying to be revived, when majority of the stakeholders have put this issue to rest.
Those who are spreading false information you should know the reality about the Madikeeri-Galibeedu–Kadamakal road. This is not a new road. It was already built during the British period, long before many of you were even born, and there are proper records to prove it.
People who sit in AC rooms in city and talk politics will never understand the real difficulties faced by villagers. This road is important for the daily life of local people, so please stop spreading misinformation…
SKJ,
Timber felling in Kadamakal Reserve Forest was allowed till 1984 on contract basis by the Govt of Karnataka.
The road that existed was made by the Timber Merchants to transport timber from the Forest. It was not a public road. After the then CM Ramakrishna Hegde was embroiled in the “Liquor Scam/Arrack Bottling Scandal” and had to resign, the timber felling contract was not renewed. That road was never intended to be a public road. Kadamakal Reserve Forest now forms a part of Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, a World Heritage Site. Supreme Court orders and guidelines are very clear on the subject. No Roads can pass through Reserve Forests or Wildlife Sanctuaries.
This proposed road project will fragment the landscape, creating hazards for wildlife, and increase man-animal conflict. Project expected to lead to the cutting of a large number of trees in the ecologically fragile Kodagu district, which is part of the Western Ghats.
Since many resorts are coming up in Somwarpet thaluk, there will be definitely some nexus with authorities, under the pretext of Tourism Development plans. Elected representatives should think of Ecological Sensitivity & shouldn’t sign off such projects.
I do appreciate the efforts of Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga for escalating this serious matter to Forest Minister of GOK.
– Dr Uthappa M M
This report raises a serious and timely concern. When clear policy guidelines and past court interventions already exist, any attempt to revive such projects appears not only questionable but dismissive of the rule of law. Development cannot come at the cost of protected forests and wildlife sanctuaries, especially when legal positions are ambiguous. Authorities must act responsibly, respect existing environmental safeguards , and ensure that public funds are not sanctioned for projects that are legally and ecologically untenable. Vigilance now will prevent irreversible damage later.