Process is under way to officially declare the Apis cerana and Malabar Tree Toad as the State insect and State amphibian, respectively, said Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday.

Speaking at the International Day for Biological Diversity, 2026, he said that many States had their own State bird, animal and tree to emphasise the importance of biodiversity conservation.

The sandalwood is Karnataka’s State tree, elephant the State animal, the Indian Roller State bird, and Southern Birdwing the State butterfly.

Nallur Tamarind Grove near Devanahalli, GKVK campus in Hogarekhan in Chikkamagaluru district, Ambaragudda in Sagar taluk and Mamadapur plant sanctuary in Vijayapura district have been declared as traditional biodiversity heritage sites.

On the increasing incidents of man-animal conflict in the State, he said that measures were being taken to restore elephant and tiger corridors to prevent them from occurring.

He said that these incidents were increasing due to changes in elephant corridors and tiger movement paths and shrinking forests.

“The government has taken strict action against forest encroachment, and about 12,204 acres of encroached forest land have been cleared over the past three years,” he added.