Bannerghatta National Park faces concerns over ecological damage and unauthorised construction, DCF seeks action taken report
On May 11, the Union Ministry of Environment directed the Karnataka forest department to address the concerns raised by the NGO and take appropriate action.
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The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) issued a draft notification on June 15, 2016, specifying the ESZ of Bannerghatta National Park as 268.96 sq km. (Express Photo) Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) of Bannerghatta National Park, Prabhakar Priyadarshi, has instructed the assistant conservator of forest and range forest officers of the park to provide a detailed action taken report regarding the concerns raised by the NGO Bannerghatta Nature Conservation Trust, The Indian Express has learned.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Karnataka forest department in May, the NGO expressed its concern that the ecology surrounding the national park has suffered due to the fragmentation of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) and unauthorised construction in close proximity to the park. The NGO emphasised that the presence of industries near the forest poses a threat to wildlife.
Priyadarshi’s letter, dated June 15 and obtained by The Indian Express, stated, “The concerns have been raised by Bannerghatta Nature Conservation Trust. Suitable action must be taken to protect the elephant corridor. Necessary action must be taken to check the unauthorized construction and operation of industries near the forest.”
On May 11, the Union Ministry of Environment directed the Karnataka forest department to address the concerns raised by the NGO and take appropriate action. On June 8, the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) of Bannerghatta National Park received a directive from Karnataka’s principal chief conservator of forest, Rajiv Ranjan, to prepare a detailed report on safeguarding the park’s elephant corridor.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) issued a draft notification on June 15, 2016, specifying the ESZ of Bannerghatta National Park as 268.96 sq km. However, as the state government did not provide its views on the draft notification as requested by the Centre, the notification lapsed. Subsequently, a revised draft notification was issued by the MOEF&CC on October 30, 2018, reducing the ESZ to 168.84 sq km. The final notification, setting the ESZ at 168.84 sq km, was published by the Union government in March 2020.
Vishnu Narain, the managing trustee of the Bannerghatta Nature Conservation Trust, expressed concern that the reduced ESZ has eliminated several areas crucial for the movement of elephants within the national park’s elephant corridor.
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