The Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation has requested clearance from the state forest department to cut down 626 trees in Devanahalli. The tree felling is part of plans to construct a new non-residential building and road, both components of a proposed central jail complex designed to accommodate 600 inmates.
According to a The New Indian Express report, the proposal comes amid growing public opposition to a separate controversial project by the Railway Land Development Authority, which involves the removal of 368 trees and has sparked widespread citizen outrage.
In April 2025, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) invited public feedback on the jail project. As required under the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, 1976, the forest department issued a public notice on May 31, 2025, allowing citizens ten days to submit objections to the proposed tree cutting.
The proposed open jail in Devanahalli spans over 100 acres. A request for tree-felling permission was submitted by the Department of Prison and Correctional Services approximately four months ago. Forest officials recently conducted a site inspection prior to issuing the public notice.
Currently, a portion of the land is used by inmates and staff to cultivate banana, mango, sugarcane, and other horticultural crops, as well as for cattle and poultry farming. The facility currently houses around 15 inmates. While a detailed land report has been prepared, a final decision on the project is still pending.