Karnataka HC directs inclusion of left-out Kappatagudda Reserve Forest in Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary

Key facts

• Karnataka High Court Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha dismissed petitions by Shivaganga Stone Crushing Industries and others.
• Court ordered state government to notify inclusion of remaining Kappatagudda Reserve Forest areas into Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary as per 9 January 2019 resolution of Karnataka State Board for Wildlife.
• 11th meeting of Karnataka State Board for Wildlife on 9 January 2019 had resolved to declare entire 300 sq km of reserve forest as sanctuary.
• State’s 16 May 2019 notification declared only 244.15 sq km (24,415.73 hectares) in Gadag, Mundaragi and Shirahatti taluks as sanctuary, leaving out about 55 sq km.
• Petitioners’ stone crushing units fall within Eco-Sensitive Zone notified on 4 June 2025 and cannot operate.
• Court clarified state may later alter sanctuary boundaries to exclude any part of the left-out reserve forest, provided it follows due legal process.