‘Development inimical to hill’s flora and fauna’

Chamundi Hills is frequently in the news for “development projects” that are announced by the authorities instead of taking measures to conserve it.

The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) and the Society for Empowerment of Voluntary Association (SEVA) said that it was unfortunate that in the name of development the authorities concerned proposed programmes which are detrimental to the flora and the fauna of the hills apart from damaging its heritage and religious sanctity.

It was pointed out that Dasoha building is one such example apart from many houses coming around the temple at the top.

“At the bottom of the hill, large tracts of land have been developed into institutions, mostly commercial in nature and surely many more will be fawned in the near future. Then there was a proposal for putting up four-lane road,” according to environmental activists.

R. Chandra Prakash, president of MGP, said that the information sought under RTI regarding a masterplan for the development of Chamundi Hills does not augur well for its future. “There seems to be total lack of awareness of the unique value of the hills from its historical and environmental value among the so called planners and our leaders. Ropeway may be a further proof of distorted vision of development for Chamundi Hills and hence the opposition to it,” he said.

A treasure trove of biodiversity, Chamundi Hills is also a major watershed for Mysuru and helps in maintaining its micro climatic conditions.

Chamundi Hills helps maintain Mysuru’s

micro-climatic conditions