Bengaluru: A tragic wildlife incident in the Basavanatara forest area near Kaggalipura has triggered a major investigation after a pregnant leopard and her three unborn cubs were found dead, with initial evidence pointing to the impact of stone quarry blasting activities in the vicinity.
Forest officials from the Kaggalipura range discovered the carcass of a 3–4-year-old female leopard during a routine patrol on December 27, 2025, in Survey No. 51 of the forest area. A post-mortem examination later revealed that the leopard was carrying three cubs in her womb, intensifying concerns over the circumstances leading to her death.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the leopard likely died two to three days before the body was discovered. Officials believe the animal was struck by a large boulder dislodged during a powerful stone blast at a nearby quarry, indicating a possible violation of norms governing mining activity close to forest boundaries.
Taking serious note of the incident, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine whether quarrying and mining operations have encroached upon protected forest zones.
“Instructions have been issued to conduct a thorough probe and initiate strict legal action against those responsible for the death of this wildlife,” the Minister said in an official statement issued on January 1, 2026.
Following the incident, an FIR has been registered, and forest department teams have intensified inspections of quarry sites located near forest boundaries to assess compliance with environmental and wildlife protection laws.
The incident has once again brought focus on the growing conflict between unregulated quarrying and wildlife conservation in forest fringes around Bengaluru, raising questions about enforcement failures and the impact of mining activities on fragile ecosystems.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಬಸವನತರ ಅರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಗರ್ಭಿಣಿ ಚಿರತೆ ಸಾವು; ಕ್ವಾರಿ ಬ್ಲಾಸ್ಟ್ ಶಂಕೆ, ಎಫ್ಐಆರ್ ದಾಖಲು
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