Eco-Activists Demand Immediate Action to Safeguard Kabini River Forests

On November 2nd, 2025, the environmental protection group 'Save Kabini' held a press conference in Mysuru, alleging that illegal activities, including the construction of resorts, were continuing in the eco-sensitive zones adjoining the Kabini river. The group, which includes activists from the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and an advocate, V. Ravikumar, has called on the state government to take action to protect the forests from encroachment.

The 'Save Kabini' members pointed out that commercial activities like resorts, homestays, hotels, clubs, bars, restaurants, boating, safari, and water sports, as well as ginger processing units, factories, stone crushers, and private vehicle safaris, are strictly regulated within the forest limits. However, they claim that many of these enterprises belong to influential politicians and industrialists who are operating them illegally, leading to the destruction of forest wealth and threatening the wildlife.

The group has urged the government to take action not only against Forest Department officials but also against officials from the Irrigation, Tourism, Panchayat Raj, and Revenue Departments who are responsible for these lapses. They have also demanded that the government replace these officials with honest ones to ensure the protection of the forests from encroachers.