Biodiversity conservation has become the mantra of the day. A good number of legislation is there to conserve endangered species. There is no dearth of brain-storming sessions in star hotels to suggest ways to conserve forest resources. Amidst all this hype, the stark reality is depletion of dense forest cover in three districts of the Malnad belt in Karnataka. A considerable area under dense forest has given way to open forest in Shimoga, Kodagu and Uttara Kannada districts over the last few years. The statistics pertaining to the green wealth of Karnataka in the just released State of Forest Report 2001(SFR) of Forest Survey of India (FSI) functioning under Union Ministry of Environment & Forests bring no cheer to those who have concern for the environment.