Now, excavators pose threat to #tigers in Karnataka

Aravind Gowda  Bengaluru, March 9, 2015

 

With poachers and depleting green cover already posing threats, the critically endangered tigers now have excavators for company in a Karnataka forest. It sounds funny but it is true that the heavy construction equipment are "roaring" inside a tiger reserve of the state.

This is in violation of rules, which clearly specify that heavy earth-moving equipment should not be used in core areas of forests and national parks.

Worse, the excavators are being used to build a new road and bridge inside the ecologically-fragile Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve, which is home to more than 40 big cats, which roam across the Western Ghats.

Even after the Southern Zone Regional Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Forests, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) brought to the fore violation of guidelines regarding Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and various directives of the Supreme Court in his recent inspection report regarding the illegal widening/construction of roads and other developmental activities inside the Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve, the state forest department seems to be in deep slumber, as the illegal development works continue to threaten wildlife.

Threat to tigers "A new road is being illegally constructed inside the Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve. At another site, a new bridge is being constructed without prior permission from the authorities concerned. However, no official has asked the agencies to stop these activities, nor informed higher authorities to initiate legal action. This attitude is appalling," said a renowned wildlife biologist but refused to be identified.

The ecologically-fragile Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve is home to over 41 big cats. A new road is being illegally constructed from Bargadda to Goyar in the Anshi Wildlife Range of the tiger reserve since February 19, 2015. Conservationists said a new bridge is being built along the Sakali stream in the same range. This will connect Dandeli-Anshi tiger reserve and Karwar Territorial Division.

One of the most important provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act (Section 29 for Sanctuaries and sub-section (6) of Section 35 for National Parks) is that no person can destroy wildlife or divert the habitat of any wild animal without a permit and no such permit can be granted unless it is considered necessary for improvement and better management of wildlife therein. The government projects also come within the ambit of this provision.

"However, both these activities have been carried out without the required permission from the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife as mandated. As Anshi-Dandeli is a tiger reserve, permission from the NTCA is also mandatory," conservationists pointed out. No green nod The matter has already been brought to the notice of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest, Ecology and Environment Dept), NTCA and Central Empowered Committee.

Karnataka's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vinay Luthra informed a section of the media that the work being carried out inside the Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve was not brought to his notice, but he will immediately look into the alleged violations.

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