A section of wildlife activists in the State have reacted cautiously to the statement that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not concurred with the project for an elevated road over Bandipur.
In reply to a question by Veerendra Kumar, MP, in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mahesh Sharma said on Monday that the Government of Karnataka has opposed any construction or opening up of the road during night hours, which passes through Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Mr. Kumar had asked the response of the Centre to the proposal for elevated road over the forest, status of the proposal, expected time of clearance and completion of the elevated road project.
Mr. Sharma stated that the Ministry had not concurred with the proposal and had suggested strengthening of the alternative route passing through Thithimati-Gonikoppa-Kutta.
Responding to the developments, a section of the NGOs said it was a step in the right direction, but wanted the government to withdraw the affidavit submitted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the apex court making such a proposal.
The MoRTH had suggested construction of elevated roads across Bandipur with 24x7 traffic, which was opposed by activists. At present, there is a night traffic ban through Bandipur and Kerala government wants it to be lifted. The MoRTH proposal was made in this context and the issue is before the Supreme Court.
