Karnataka Coffee Estates Face Uncertainty Over Forest Land Survey & ESA Norms

Bangalore Mail | September 24, 2026

BENGALURU: Coffee growers across Karnataka’s primary plantation belts are facing growing legal and operational uncertainties following the state government’s decision to conduct a comprehensive survey of forest patches, buffer zones, and Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs).

Despite the Karnataka Cabinet passing a resolution opposing the Centre’s 7th draft notification on the Kasturirangan Committee report, the state’s decision to map boundaries has triggered anxiety among planters in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, and Shivamogga.

30% Plantations Under the Scanner

Official estimates and Coffee Board sources suggest that nearly 30 per cent of coffee plantations in Karnataka currently occupy encroached forest or revenue land parcels. While these land usages were historically overlooked, increasing human-wildlife conflict and strict regulatory enforcement around protected forest corridors have pushed the issue to the forefront.

Industry insiders warn that if the recommendations of the Kasturirangan report are implemented in full, between 30 and 35 per cent of the state’s total coffee-growing region could be designated as protected land, severely curbing agricultural activities.

Production Targets at Risk

Karnataka currently accounts for 70 per cent of India’s total coffee output, with approximately 2.46 lakh hectares dedicated to cultivation. The Union Government has set an ambitious target to double Karnataka’s production to 7 lakh tonnes by 2047.

However, senior officials at the Coffee Board indicate that structural constraints render this milestone difficult to achieve:

 Land Scarcity: Scope for expanding traditional shade-grown coffee regions within Karnataka is nearly exhausted.

 Environmental Constraints: Climate fluctuations, unpredictable rainfall, and prolonged dry spells continue to alter yield estimates.

 Regulatory Restrictions: Reclaiming buffer zone lands or enforcing ESA restrictions would reduce current yields, contradicting long-term growth targets.

Alternative Cultivation Exploration

To offset land limitations in core districts, the Coffee Board is exploring alternative regions for expansion. Strategies include integrating coffee cultivation into arecanut-growing belts such as Shivamogga and Sagar, alongside expanding footprint targets in Andhra Pradesh and the North-Eastern states.

Despite alternative initiatives, industry experts emphasize that Karnataka’s distinct climate and shade-grown ecosystems remain difficult to replicate—leaving local planters waiting for regulatory clarity on land tenure and buffer zone policies.