Encroachment, Government and the Real Estate Nexus

 

The recent High Court order directing the Karnataka government to clear more than 51 acres of forest land near Bengaluru International Airport underscores a recurring story in the state’s land and development politics. That the land, worth over ₹1,000 crore, had already been carved up into 700 residential sites under the glossy title “Century Sports Village” speaks to both the brazenness of the encroachment and the power of real estate players.

The petitioners’ strategy was predictable: challenge the forest department’s notices, cite joint development agreements dating back nearly two decades, and attempt to cloak the encroachment in the garb of legality. The judiciary, however, cut through this smokescreen, dismissing the claims and backing the state’s authority under the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963. The judgment is a rare reminder that the law, when applied firmly, can still tilt the balance against land grabbers.

But the larger question remains—how did forest land in such a high-value zone escape state protection long enough to be marketed, parcelled, and sold as residential plots? The involvement of multiple individuals, partnership firms, and corporate fronts suggests a networked ecosystem where political patronage, bureaucratic laxity, and speculative real estate interests intersect. The scale of the encroachment—700 sites is no small “mistake”—points to systemic collusion, not mere oversight.

This case is also a telling commentary on Bengaluru’s urban expansion. Proximity to the international airport has transformed Devanahalli taluk into a goldmine for developers. Forest and agricultural land has been under relentless pressure, often with scant regard for ecological or legal boundaries. The “Century Sports Village” episode is emblematic of this transformation—nature sacrificed at the altar of speculation, and public land quietly converted into private fortune.

The High Court’s directive is, therefore, more than a legal ruling; it is a test of the state government’s political will. Clearing encroachments worth ₹1,000 crore is easier ordered than executed. With powerful interests at stake, the coming months will reveal whether the government has the courage to act or whether the judgment will remain another strong word on paper, buried beneath the weight of political expediency.

Ultimately, the issue is not only about one encroachment but about setting a precedent. If forest lands can be parcelled off with impunity, no green reserve around Bengaluru is safe. The Court has drawn a clear line. The question is whether the state will have the strength to hold it.