Arun S.K, honorary district wildlife warden, has urged Vinay Luthra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, to establish a rapid action force in Ballari district, which has two sloth bear sanctuaries.
In a letter submitted to Mr. Luthra during a meeting of wildlife wardens held recently, Dr. Arun pointed out that in the wake of a few man-animal conflicts being reported in the district, with two bear sanctuaries – one in Daroji and another in Gudekote – there was an urgent need to set up a rapid action force to respond to emergencies on one hand and also towards confidence building measure for the people residing in the villages around the sanctuaries on the other.
Dr. Arun also requested Mr. Luthra to ensure that no concrete structures come up inside the two sanctuaries. However, he wanted him to get suitable places identified for construction of a guest house/nature camp for the benefit of visitors coming to Gudekote sanctuary, which borders three district- Ballari, Chitradurga and Davanagere.
Dr. Arun, while expressing his apprehension that the proposed expansion of the NH 63 between Ballari and Hosapete into a four –lane would prove detrimental as it affected the bear corridor between Daroji, Sandur and Gudekote regions and wanted Mr. Luthra to take up with the concerned authorities to revise the plans providing for an underpass for the unhindered movement of bears.
