A four-member committee set up by Bangalore University (BU) to study the feasibility of setting up University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) in 50-acre space in its Jnanabharathi Campus has found that the establishment of the university will lead to ‘ecological damage’.
“The committee was formed based on opposition from a section of walkers. However, the committee report has given a green signal to establish UVCE highlighting no damage to the biodiversity. In fact, the 50-acre land parcel is not a biopark as claimed by some. When UVCE was affiliated with BU previously, it had generated significant revenue for the university. Additionally, as per the High Court order, the campus can be used for education purposes and there are already multiple institutions who have leased out the campus land for such purposes. Therefore, the criticism against establishing UVCE is baseless,” said Sudhakar adding that five firms have already submitted Expression of Interest for the design of UVCE.
Summary highlights presence of rich biodiversity
However, the summary report that The Indian Express accessed contradicted the claim by the higher education minister. The committee found that the 50-acre land park in question is rich in biodiversity and home to several flora and fauna, including some of exotic and rare species. As a result, the committee in the summary’s report stated that, “The findings emphasize the importance of conserving such forests, protecting them from anthropogenic activities, and banning construction work. The land shall not be diverted to any other purpose, as Biopark plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration and contributes significantly to ecological stability and diversity and achieving the SDG goals.”
The study area covered only survey No.12 under Biopark Sector 9, behind Gandhi Bhavan and adjacent to NGEF Layout where the government is exploring to establish UVCE. This part of Biopark has been developed since 2015, along with natural vegetation associated with birds, insects, animals, and microbial diversity.
The university established the biopark in the campus during 2000 through a syndicate decision dated March 27, 2000. It was developed with Saptha vanas, including Smriti vana, Charka vana, Shushruta vana, Sanjeevini vana, Madhu vana, Bonsai Garden, Panchavati van, Ksheera vana and Sahayadri vana to protect, preserve the biodiversity of campus and utilization for research activities.
The summary stated that over 150 different tree species belonging to 58 different families have been recorded in the proposed 50-acre land to UVCE. Nearly 47 species recorded in the proposed area are mentioned in the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) globally threatened Red Data list species. A major feature of this area is its large historical sandalwood reserve, including a few red sandalwood trees with dense and naturally regenerating hundreds of sandal wood trees with a height of more than 15 feet.
An analysis of 35,000 trees revealed a total biomass of 6.5 million kg with a carbon content of 3.25 million kg and a carbon sequestration potential of 11.94 million tonnes. The carbon sequestration potential essentially indicates the total amount of carbon dioxide that these trees can absorb over time, helping combat climate change. Further, these trees also release 8.7 million tonnes of oxygen, essential for maintaining air quality.
The proposed area is also a nest for 134 bird species, including both aquatic and terrestrial birds. Additionally, the area in question comprises several epiphytes, climbers, palms and thousands of different medicinal herbs, which are listed under the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) priorities list of medicinal plant cultivation.
The summary finally concludes, “As a way forward, (Bangalore) University has previously taken the decision to declare biopark as protected land through a syndicate decision. And Bangalore University which has got A accreditation from NAAC by showcasing its unique + distinctiveness of Environmental sustainability through biodiversity conservation, should ban all anthropogenic activities and construction work in the biodiversity rich area and implement its recommendations as provided to NAAC accreditation by recommending to declare Biodiversity rich area as Heritage site under Biological Diversity Act 200.”
Meanwhile, BU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jayakara S M did not respond to calls by The Indian Express. Minister Sudhakar speaking to The Indian Express, argued that, “When we have envisioned UVCE on the lines of IITs and over par with private institutions, it is imperative that we give a new lease of life. When we have to compete with private institutions over infrastructure, we need to revitalize our institutions and expand them with robust infrastructure.”
Why was a committee formed?
The Karnataka government had sought a 50-acre land parcel on the 800-acre Jananabharati campus for setting up of UVCE on the lines of IITs, which is currently located in the heart of the city near KR circle. The Higher Education Department had also sought Rs 500 crore from the finance department for establishing UVCE, following which the state cabinet also approved the release of Rs 100 crore as a first installment.
However, soon after the announcement, environmentalists and conservationists flagged the proposal of setting up UVCE in the biodiversity rich area of BU, citing environmental concerns. In fact, some of them also submitted memorandums to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot seeking intervention in the matter. The Governor’s office directed BU to form a committee to study the environmental feasibility of setting up the institute in the 50-acre land parcel. A committee under the chairmanship of Srinivas Chowdappa, Professor, Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology who is also Registrar (Evaluation) of BU, was formed in October 2024. According to sources familiar with the development, the committee had submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor in December 2024.
300 acres of leased land
Out of the 800 acres of Jnanabharati campus, around 300 acres have been leased out to various institutions and facilities for education and other purposes.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) has occupied a significant portion of the campus spreading around 81 acres. Higher education and research establishments like the Ambedkar School of Economics (43 acres), National Law School of India University (30 acres), the Regional Institute of English (11 acres), and the Institute for Social and Economic Change (38 acres) also hold significant portions.
Additionally, organisations such as Atomic Energy (15 acres), Indian Institute of Plantation Management (5 acres), Dhanavantri (8 acres), NAAC (10 acres), Kannada Bhasha Sahitya Adayana (3 acres) are also functioning on the leased land. Various student hostels, including those for OBC and minority students, occupy smaller plots, while essential public services like a police station, fire station and metro infrastructure are also present. Meanwhile, a 15-acre lease for Yoga Sciences has been cancelled in the syndicate, though the formal cancellation is pending.
Bangalore University (BU). (File Photo) 
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