Karnataka Governor H. R. Bhardwaj today said that rampant encroachments of forest land and mining in these areas had endangered wildlife in the country.
“Encroachments of forest land and mining in such areas in the country is a major threat to wildlife and has endangered it to a great extent,” Mr. Bhardwaj said while addressing the 56th Wildlife Week Celebrations here.
While rampant mining has brought down tiger population in Sariska, Panna and Ranthambore reserves in MP and Rajasthan respectively, mining and quarrying activities in Karwar, Chamarajnagar and Sandur in Karnataka’s Bellary district had adversely affected wildlife, he said.
There was an urgent need not only to conserve wildlife but also protect it from man-made threats, he said.
Ace cricketer and vice-chairman of the state Wildlife Board, Anil Kumble said “according to a recent tiger census, Karnataka will hopefully be number one in tiger population.”
He said the Board would soon launch a website that would enable wildlife enthusiasts to interact with forest officials.
State forest minister C. H. Vijayashankar said the department was aiming at increasing the forest cover in the state to 33 per cent from the present 23 per cent.
He announced that the 57th Wildlife Week celebrations will be held in Bannerghatta National Park.
Touching upon the important issues relating to wildlife conservation in the state, Chief Wildlife Warden B. K. Singh said one of the major challenges facing the department today is to minimise the human-animal conflicts.
Many wild animals especially elephants and leopards are killed in such conflicts.
Foot patrolling by forest personnel at strategic locations in protected areas have paid rich dividends, he said, adding prompt and timely action has also proved effective in this regard.
