Chamundi Hills as an important watershed for Mysuru. | Photo credit: File photo
Environmentalists in the city have tried to impress upon the government that Chamundi Hills is not just a tourist and religious center where facilities can be expanded endlessly, but that it is a fragile geological and hydrological system that deserves protection.
The role of Chamundi Hills as an important watershed for Mysuru, where changes in natural drainage, soil compaction and concretion directly affect groundwater recharge and downstream water availability, was highlighted in a memorandum submitted to the authorities.
As a strong argument for regulation and protection, environmentalists argued that hill development must follow scientifically established limits on built-up area, vehicular movement, footprint and infrastructure load. They note that incremental approvals without an integrated carrying capacity framework cumulatively cause irreversible damage, even if each individual hit appears small.
Activists point out that Chamundi Hills is not just a site for infrastructure expansion, saying it is a living hill ecosystem, a cultural and spiritual symbol and a geological formation shaped over millions of years.
”Once damaged above a threshold, it cannot be restored by engineering or compensatory measures,” they added.
In addition, various studies conducted by voluntary organizations over decades have helped create a database that highlights the rich biodiversity Chamundi Hills harbors. According to data uploaded by Mysore Nature on its website ( Chamundi Hills supports 153 species of butterflies and 193 species of birds belonging to 44 families. This includes 134 species that are resident birds, of which 72 species breed in Chamundi Hills. Among the mammals found are macaque, common leopard, brown cat, rusty pangolin.
Published – 31 Dec 2025 19:58 IST
