NEWS – Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre declared the 8.61-acre Cantonment Railway Colony area in Bengaluru as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). The site, spread across Survey Numbers 1028 and 1047, hosts 371 trees from 50 species and has been recognized under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ecological and Historical Importance

• The area serves as a critical lung space in central Bengaluru.
• It harbors diverse flora, fauna, and insects, contributing to the city’s ecological balance.
• Historically, the site holds significance as Mahatma Gandhi interacted with freedom fighters here in 1920.
• Trees help reduce carbon dioxide levels, curb air and noise pollution, and maintain the shrinking green cover.

Significance of Biodiversity Heritage Sites

According to the Biological Diversity Act, 2002:

• BHS are ecologically fragile ecosystems with rich biodiversity.
• Criteria include species richness, endemism, rare species, cultural value, and historic importance.
• Declaration does not restrict local community practices but aims to enhance quality of life through conservation.
• It is usually declared by State government