Bengaluru has seen a remarkable increase in its forest cover, according to the India State of Forest Report 2023, which reveals a 0.59% rise since 2021. The city’s total forest cover now spans 89.61 square kilometers, placing it among India’s greenest metropolitan areas. Bengaluru ranks just behind Delhi (194.15 km²) and Mumbai (110.84 km²) for forest cover in metropolitan regions.
The report also highlights Bengaluru’s significant urban forest expansion, with an increase of 2.09 square kilometers in its urban forest area. This growth places the city second in the country for urban forest expansion, following Ahmedabad, which gained 5.48 square kilometers.
However, Bengaluru’s forest growth stands in contrast to the struggles faced by some other major cities. While Bengaluru continues to see improvements, cities like Chennai and Hyderabad have faced setbacks in their forest cover, with reductions of 2.64 km² and 1.61 km², respectively.
Despite the positive rise in green spaces, Bengaluru faces the emerging threat of forest fires. The city witnessed 51 forest fire incidents in 2023-24, an increase from the previous year’s 44. In contrast, Bengaluru Rural experienced a drop in fire incidents, from 169 to 124, offering some relief.
On a broader scale, Karnataka’s overall forest cover spans 1,91,791 square kilometers, covering nearly 20% of the state’s total area. Although the state saw a decline of 459.36 km² in forest and tree cover, it continues to lead India in agroforestry with a growing stock of 98.31 million cubic meters. Notably, the state has seen a significant improvement in Reserved Forest Areas (RFA), adding 93.14 km² of forest cover in protected zones.
In response to growing concerns over illegal encroachments, Karnataka’s Forest Minister, Eshwar Khandre, has directed officials to utilize the newly launched Forest Cover Change Alert System, a satellite-based surveillance tool designed to prevent forest encroachment. Khandre emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards encroachments, insisting that strict action be taken against violators, regardless of their influence.
With its continued green growth and the state’s proactive approach to preserving its forests, Bengaluru is positioning itself as a leader in urban environmental sustainability. However, challenges like forest fires and encroachments remain a key area of focus for both the city and the state in the years to come.
Sources By Agencies
