Fri Jan 23 10:13:33 UTC 2026: # Hesaraghatta Grasslands: A Year After Conservation Status, Transformation Under Scrutiny

The Story:

One year after the Karnataka Cabinet approved the declaration of the Greater Hesaraghatta Grasslands Conservation Reserve (GHGCR), comprising 5,678 acres in January 2025, The Hindu revisits the area to assess the impact of the conservation effort. K.C. Deepika reports on whether the grasslands have transitioned from being considered a ‘wasteland’ to a thriving biodiversity hotspot. Ravichandran N provided the video and editing for the story.

Key Points:

  • The Greater Hesaraghatta Grasslands Conservation Reserve (GHGCR) was approved in January 2025.
  • The reserve encompasses 5,678 acres.
  • The article assesses the transformation of the grasslands one year after receiving conservation status.
  • The core question is whether the area has shifted from a perceived ‘wasteland’ to a biodiversity hotspot.
  • The report is authored by K.C. Deepika, with video and editing by Ravichandran N.

Key Takeaways:

  • The establishment of conservation reserves is not always immediately transformative.
  • Public perception and classification of land use can influence conservation efforts.
  • Media scrutiny plays a vital role in monitoring the effectiveness of conservation initiatives.
  • Local biodiversity is growing in importance and recognition, necessitating more proactive government action.

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