Ban on traffic in Khanapur forests from November 9

Taking note of the increasing number of wild animal deaths in the reserved forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries of Khanapur taluk in Belagavi district, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate N. Jayaram on Wednesday issued orders under Section 31 of the Karnataka Police Act 1963 prohibiting vehicular traffic on certain routes passing through the forest areas.

The ban on vehicular movement would be effective in the Bhimgad Wild Life Sanctuary and on Hemmadaga-Goa State Highway No. 30 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. from November 9.

The decision was taken after the Deputy Commissioner held a detailed discussion with forest officials. Divisional Conservator of Forests Vijay Mohan Raj requested the Deputy Commissioner to impose night traffic ban about a month ago.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the South Western Railways, Hubballi, are yet to respond to the requests of wildlife activists to reduce the speed of trains passing through the thick forest areas, particular on the Hospet-Tinaighat section on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and on tracks passing through the forests of Khanapur taluk, which also has witnessed deaths of elephants and other wild animals in the recent past, according to wildlife activist Giridhar Kulkarni.

Movement of vehicles banned from 6 p.m.

to 6 a.m.