Bengaluru: The govt has launched a large-scale drive involving satellite-based monitoring and on-ground surveys to prevent usurpation of temple assets, a project that comes on the heels of the cabinet approving the Rs 15-crore ‘Bhu-Varaha’ scheme to protect 328 major govt-owned temple properties and document temple land records.Under the monitoring scheme, temples in Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Yadgir and Chikkaballapur districts have submitted proposals to survey immovable temple property and construct compound walls, wire fencing or green barriers to safeguard assets. The initiative will involve surveying and measuring temple properties, removing encroachments, and introducing physical safeguards like fencing.The plan also includes ‘land beat’ patrol work through hired watch agencies to prevent fresh encroachments, and the appointment of private lawyers to pursue court cases related to land disputes. Records of govt temple properties will be published in the Gazette and uploaded on a ‘Devabhoomi’ portal on the religious endowments department website.Following the one-time investment in surveys and record updates, the govt will carry out regular digital surveillance of temple land. “We already have satellite observations of land every two to three weeks for incidents such as forest fires. The same method will also be used to digital monitor temple land,” said Rajender Kataria, vice-chairman, Dharmik Parishad.In Jan 2026, TOI had reported that the muzrai department had launched a statewide project to physically verify govt-owned temple land. Kataria said the initiative focused on locating missing temples — some 4,000 are missing — while the Bhu-Varaha project would establish a framework for sustained protection of govt land.“Nobody has been monitoring them until now,” said Kataria, who also holds charge as additional chief secretary, revenue department. “There were thousands of properties on paper, but no one was protecting them. Now, there will be monthly reviews, and the project will continue even if heads of departments change.”Muzrai minister Ramalinga Reddy said the state has 38,000 acres of govt temple properties. He said records of 17.5 acres of land have been identified and attached to temples so far, and 2,500 urban properties have been covered. “Half of the total 5,000 temple properties in urban areas will be identified within a year,” he said.
