While the Opposition leaders have for long been alleging that vested interests were behind the State government’s decision to withdraw its notification declaring Kappatagudda forest in Gadag a “conservation reserve”, V.S. Ugrappa, Congress MLC, joined the chorus on Wednesday.
Raising a question in the Legislative Council on the measures initiated by the State government in conserving Kappatagudda forest, Mr. Ugrappa said such steps had turned Karnataka into an arid region, second only to Rajasthan.
Demanding that the forest be declared as a “conservation reserve”, the member said the government should wake up at least now.
In response, Forest Minister Ramanath Rai said the report on the public hearing on declaring Kappatagudda forest a conservation reserve was yet to reach the government.
“Once the report is ready, it will be placed before the State Wildlife Board for a final decision,” he said.
Protest at Gadag
Meanwhile, at Hubballi, various organisations led by social activist S.R. Hiremath have decided to hold a three-day day-night dharna in Gadag from February 13 to press for the ‘conservation reserve’ tag.
Addressing presspersons, conveners of ‘Kappatagudda Ulisi Horata Samiti’ said the Chief Minister’s reluctance to take a decision on the issue had them made wonder if Mr. Siddaramaiah, who as Opposition leader had led a padayatra against illegal mining, had now yielded to pressure from the mining lobby.
