Experts to CM Siddaramaiah: Preserve, don’t commercialise Roerich Devika Rani estate

Bengaluru: Conservationists on Thursday expressed concern over the state government's plan to convert Roerich Devika Rani Estate, a 467-acre lung space in Bengaluru south, into a tourist spot at the cost of Rs 100 crore.

In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former Biodiversity Board chairperson Anant Hegde Ashisar and others noted that the cabinet approval to borrow a loan of Rs 99.17 core to develop the area into an "Iconic Tourist Destination" will destroy the carbon sink of Bengaluru city.

"Back in 2020-21, the experts from the State Biodiversity Board had surveyed the biodiversity of the estate. The board in its 46th meeting had decided to declare a state biodiversity heritage site," he said.

The letter, carrying the names of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Professor TV Ramachandra, environmentalist BM Kumaraswamy and others, said the tourism project goes against laws governing biodiversity, forest, wildlife as well as archaeology.

"The estate is also part of the deemed forest list submitted to the Supreme Court by the state government and any work requires clearance from the Union Environment Ministry. It is also an elephant corridor," he said, adding that both Roerich and Devikarani wanted to preserve the estate for its natural and artistic values.

The letter said instead of spending Rs 100 crore to destroy the lung space, the government should declare the area as a reserved forest to ensure a better environment for future generations. "A public consultation should be called in this regard," the letter added.