Bengaluru: Relations between Karnataka and Kerala are under scrutiny following the change of govt in the neighbouring state, with ecological concerns and administrative differences continuing to shape ties. While expectations of improved coordination have risen after Congress-led UDF assumed office in Kerala, environmentalists are worried of potential policy shifts driven by political considerations. At the centre of the debate is the night traffic ban through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, an issue that has repeatedly cropped up. The restriction, in place since 2009 on NH-766 between 9pm and 6am, affects a key 25km stretch connecting Wayanad in Kerala with Mysuru and Bengaluru. Karnataka has defended the ban on ecological grounds, citing reduced wildlife mortality and disturbance, while Kerala has consistently argued that it hampers connectivity, trade and tourism. The issue gained fresh traction after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s election from Wayanad last year. She had promised to pursue a resolution and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar had indicated that the govt is open to reviewing the matter. But lifting the ban would leave Karnataka’s forest department in bind, given its long-standing legal and environmental commitments. Conservationists insist Karnataka’s stance has been consistent, backed by affidavits and judicial scrutiny. “The Supreme Court has upheld continuation of the night traffic ban after examining ecological impacts, and that policy continuity is critical to safeguarding wildlife corridors in the Western Ghats,” said KN Girish, a wildlife expert. “Karnataka has invested substantially in developing alternative routes, suggesting that further improvements to these corridors may offer a more viable solution than easing restrictions within the protected area.” Forest minister Eshwar Khandre reiterated that there is no formal proposal to lift the ban and emphasised that the state’s position is aligned with court directives. Beyond the Bandipur issue, language policy has emerged as another area of friction. Kerala’s proposed Malayalam Language Bill 2025, which seeks to mandate Malayalam as the first language in schools, has drawn objections from Karnataka over its implications for Kannada-speaking populations in border districts such as Kasaragod, Kannur, and Wayanad. Karnataka has raised concerns over linguistic rights, while Kerala has maintained that the measure is aimed at strengthening the state language without disadvantaging minorities. Periodic flashpoints have also contributed to tensions. Demolition drives on illegal settlments in Bengaluru’s Kogilu area early this year prompted criticism from Kerala politicians at the time, leading to a brief political exchange before Karnataka and announced rehabilitation measures and clarified that it was an enforcement drive against illegal structures. Infrastructure proposals have similarly revealed competing priorities. Karnataka has expressed ecological reservations over Kerala’s proposed Thalassery–Mysuru railway line, citing potential risks to sensitive forest regions in the Western Ghats. Despite these differences, the relationship between the two states remains structurally interdependent. Trade flows, labour mobility and tourism continue to bind border regions, especially in areas like Mangaluru and Kasaragod, where linguistic and cultural overlaps are significant. Tourism circuits linking Kodagu and Wayanad further reinforce economic ties.
