Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve

Current Context: Karnataka Government notified Hesaraghatta Grassland as a Conservation Reserve under Section 36A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, in early 2025.

About Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve:

• Location: Near Hesaraghatta Lake, Bengaluru; the last remaining grassland habitat in the region.
• Protection Status: Declared a Conservation Reserve, acting as a buffer zone under WPA 1972.
• Ecological Role: Supports biodiversity including leopards, Indian foxes, otters, and migratory birds.
• Hydrological Importance: Functions as a natural sponge for monsoon runoff and recharges groundwater.
• Governance: Managed by a state-appointed Conservation Reserve Management Committee.
• Coverage: Part of India’s 24% grassland biome; globally, grasslands span 20–40% of land area.