Drain on Bhadra? Activists allege forest water theft

Chikkamagaluru/Shivamogga: Fresh allegations of illegal water diversion have surfaced in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve (BTR) even as a resort project in its eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) remains under official scrutiny for alleged construction violations.In March, the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change ordered an investigation into the resort project over alleged illegal construction within protected ESZ limits.Against this backdrop, Wild Cat-C, a wildlife conservation watchdog, has alleged a water-theft racket in the Tanigebailu wildlife range of BTR. The group claimed that forest streams and backwaters are being diverted through illegal pipe connections.Environmentalists said the state govt's Aug 2025 Buffer Zone Reduction Bill, intended to ease restrictions for public utilities, has since created space for unauthorised private activity. Activists alleged that administrative apathy has resurfaced.Conservationists DV Girish and S Girija Shankar said a large storage tank has been constructed about a kilometre from the Virupaksha Kanu anti-poaching camp. They alleged that the structure is being used to divert water for agricultural purposes using generators. They also claimed that trees and bamboo clumps were cut and small roads carved inside the sanctuary to facilitate the movement of labour and equipment.Pulkit Meena, field director of BTR, said officials have been sent for inspection following complaints.Forest officials have also drawn criticism for what is seen as a lack of urgency. Critics pointed out that similar incidents reported in the buffer zone about a month ago were dismissed by officials as routine human activity.Citing the water-diversion allegations alongside ongoing ESZ concerns, environmentalists have appealed to minister Eshwar B Khandre to intervene and hold complicit forest staff accountable, warning against further damage to Bhadra's natural resources.