Environmentalist and activists leading 'Save Bannerghatta Campaign' have reason to cheer. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in a letter to PCCF (wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Karnataka, has asked the State government to ‘examine the possibility of retaining’ the original ESZ (eco-sensitive zone) proposed in the draft notification issued in 2016 for Bannerghatta National Park.
The letter dated August 20 stated that in June 2016, a draft notification for ESZ area of 268.96 sq.km. was issued. Later, the State government requested for a reduction of ESZ area to 181.57 sq.km. However, the letter noted that due to the non-receipt of information from the State government, the draft notification could not be finalised.
The letter further states that in October 2018, based on the recommendation of the State government, the draft notification was published again reducing the ESZ area to 168.84 sq.km.
However, thousands of citizens objected to the reduction in ESZ. They stated that the decision to reduce the ESZ will impact overall ecology of the region and interfere with elephant corridors. The public pressure forced elected representatives from the city to oppose the move and protect the green cover on the outskirts of the city.
Following stiff opposition, the Union government asked the State government to retain the original proposal ESZ of 268.96 sq.km.
“In the light of the above, the State government is requested to consider the proposal and examine the possibility of retaining the original proposal for the purpose of declaration of ESZ,” states the letter.
