Karnataka High Court orders notice to Union, state govts on PIL challenging nod for tourism project at Roerich estate

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday ordered notice to both state and union government in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the approval granted for an Eco Tourism and Cultural hub project at the Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich estate on Kanakapura road in the outskirts of Bengaluru city. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bhakru and CM Joshi also ordered notice to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Board.

The petition is filed by RR Nagar Care Trust, Bengaluru. The petitioner has challenged December 24, 2024 notification granting approval for the project. According to the petitioner, the proposal states that space will be allocated for parking of nearly 450 cars in the estate and thousands of people are expected to visit the place. The petitioner contended all these activities will harm the ecology of the area as it abuts Bannerghatta forest range, an elephant corridor.

The petitioner stated that the activities proposed are in violation of the orders passed by the Apex Court in the KT Plantation judgement in regard to need for environmental protection in ecologically sensitive areas.

The petition further prayed for a direction to the Roerich Board to declare the estate as biodiversity heritage site or propose a conservation reserve for the remaining estate. The petitioners also sought a direction to the board to conduct a scientific profiling of environmental, ecological and wildlife factors of the estate and to develop a plan towards the object and intent of the acquisition of the estate.

On the other hand, the union government informed the court that the project is being executed in terms of the scheme prepared under the provisions of Roerich and Devika Rani Estate (Acquisition and Transfer) Act.