Greens want Nandi hills declared a biodiversity hub, heritage site

Environmentalists and activists have appealed to the government to declare Nandi Hills as a biodiversity hub and facilitate its recognition as a world heritage site. 

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, they voiced concerns over the commercialisation threatening the ecological and life-giving river systems originating from the hills.

The press meet was planned as a precursor to the Cabinet meeting scheduled at Nandi Hills on Thursday. The government has now shifted the Cabinet meeting to Bengaluru.

C D Kiran, president of the Universal Human Rights Service Foundation who addressed the press meet alongside A N Yellappa Reddy, former secretary to the environment and ecology department, highlighted the irreparable damage posed by commercial ventures.

Kiran said his foundation had already filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court, which led to a notice being issued to the government on February 27, 2025.

Despite this, on March 18, 2025, during the Belagavi session of the legislature, two acres of horticulture department land, falling within the Arkavathy river’s buffer zone, were reportedly transferred to the tourism department for a ropeway project to be undertaken by Dynamics company.

Reddy says the Hills sit on the ancient Dharwar Craton, fractured by younger granite. 

This geological history creates a landscape of hills and numerous springs, which are vital sources for rivers like the Arkavathy, Palar, Pennar, South Pennar and Chitravathi.

These springs, revered for their ‘holy water,’ play a crucial role in groundwater recharge, making Nandi Hills a significant health and environmental hotspot.

Santosh Bharati Swami of Ayur Ashram urged the government to ban mining and blasting activities, suggesting the creation of artificial waterfalls instead of a ropeway for tourism here. 

Film director S V Rajendra Singh Babu advocated the need for banning vehicles on the hills to reduce pollution and promoting walking as an alternative. 

He cited the Los Angeles wildfires as ‘nature’s reply to exploitation by humans’.

Farmer leader Sunanda Jayaram extended her support to the ‘Save Nandi Hills’ campaign.