Karnataka has the highest number of elephants in India, with 6,013 elephants, but faces 20 human deaths from elephant attacks in 2025-26 alone. Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) hosts over 150 elephants and three important elephant corridors. In 2016, the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around BNP covered 268.96 sq. km, but it was cut down to 168.84 sq. km by 2020. This reduced ESZ allowed the Karnataka Housing Board’s large Surya Nagar housing project near the park. The Supreme Court received a petition against this cut and formed a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to review the case. After a visit and talks in January 2026, the CEC advised the Supreme Court to restore the original 2016 ESZ size and cancel the 2020 notification that shrank it. The CEC highlighted that the housing project caused environmental harm and risks human-wildlife conflicts, especially near the Karadikal-Mahadeshwara elephant corridor. Local farmers oppose the housing project, worried about losing fertile land and fearing no benefits from a planned 80,000-seat cricket stadium there. Bannerghatta National Park is crucial as it connects to the Mysore Elephant Reserve and supports other wildlife like tigers, leopards, and bears. The park also helps feed rivers flowing to the Cauvery. Two tigers have been sighted in BNP since 2015. Environmentalists warn that more new housing and roads will increase dangerous wildlife encounters. The Supreme Court may act soon based on the CEC’s recommendation to protect both elephants and local communities around BNP.