Karnataka Forest Minister Announces Bhadra Sanctuary ESZ Demarcation Plan
In a significant development for environmental conservation in Karnataka, Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre has assured that concrete measures will be taken for the demarcation of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) surrounding the Bhadra sanctuary. The minister confirmed that a formal proposal detailing this initiative will be submitted to the Union government for approval, marking a crucial step in protecting this vital wildlife habitat.
Addressing Historical Confusion Over Deemed Forests
Minister Khandre placed blame squarely on the previous BJP-led state government for creating what he termed "significant confusion" regarding the issue of deemed forest areas. He highlighted that in 2022, under the prior administration, officials included residential houses, patta lands, government offices, schools, and hospitals within the deemed forest boundaries without conducting any proper on-site inspections or scientific surveys.
"The previous BJP government created confusion by not conducting a scientific survey on the deemed forest issue. But the Congress government is making sincere efforts to resolve this issue," Khandre stated emphatically during the meeting.
The minister assured that his department is now working to identify alternative lands where such problematic inclusions exist and will submit a certificate to the Supreme Court that accurately maintains the forest's true extent, thereby rectifying the previous administration's errors.
Immediate Wildlife Conflict Resolution Measures
The announcement came during a meeting where villagers from Khandya hobli in Chikkamagaluru district submitted a petition urgently requesting government intervention to control wild animals, particularly elephants, bison, and boars that have been causing damage to crops and threatening human life.
Khandre revealed that orders have already been issued to rescue problematic elephants, with two animals successfully rescued thus far. Instructions have been given to rescue two additional elephants that continue to pose threats to local communities.
"In Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Hassan districts, there are over 100 elephants living outside the forest boundaries," the minister noted, underscoring the scale of human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Comprehensive Rs 53 Crore Elephant Conservation Plan
To provide a permanent solution to these recurring conflicts, Minister Khandre announced that he has sanctioned a substantial Rs 53 crore for a comprehensive elephant conservation and management program. This funding will support multiple initiatives including:
- Construction of a dedicated elephant camp to house and manage problematic animals
- Maintenance and improvement of existing elephant trenches
- Installation of advanced tentacle fencing systems
- Deployment of solar-powered wire fencing in critical areas
Additional Infrastructure and Monitoring Systems
Beyond the elephant-focused initiatives, the forest department is implementing broader infrastructure improvements. A comprehensive command center is being established to monitor wildlife movements and provide timely information to the public about animal movements near populated areas.
Furthermore, Khandre announced that a railway track barrier is being constructed in the region at a cost of Rs 12 crore to prevent tragic wildlife deaths along railway lines, a persistent problem in forest-adjacent areas across India.
Historical Context and Buffer Zone Issues
The minister provided important historical context, noting that in 2011, several villages were included within the buffer zone of protected areas. This historical decision has contributed to ongoing human-wildlife conflicts that his administration is now addressing through both immediate interventions and long-term planning.
The meeting was attended by several key officials including Sringeri MLA TD Rajegowda, chairman of Bhadra Command Area Development Authority K P Anshumanth, and principal secretary to the forest department Manoj Kumar, indicating the cross-departmental importance of these conservation and conflict resolution efforts.
