The Bannerghatta eco-sensitive zone could be reduced to 100 metres around residential areas and villages that have existed for several years, Karnataka Forest, Biology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy said at Bannerghatta Biological Park on Monday. He also said the state would comply with the court’s order while determining the final extent of the zone.
The minister said the proposal to reduce the eco-sensitive zone in settled areas had been discussed with officials. He added that action concerning people who have lived for years within the Bannerghatta park and forest area would be taken after considering the court’s decision and advice from departmental authorities.
The statement is significant for settlements located around one of Bengaluru’s major wildlife and visitor destinations. The minister did not announce a final notification or specify the total area that would be covered by a revised boundary. The reported position is that the 100-metre limit would apply to residential areas and long-established villages, while the wider extent of the eco-sensitive zone remains subject to the court’s order and the government’s decision-making process.
Reddy was speaking at the inauguration of development works costing ₹38 crore at Bannerghatta Biological Park. He said priority had been given to visitor facilities because the park receives about 25 lakh visitors every year. He also said discussions would be held with Public Works Department officials to begin improvements to the road connecting the park.
Several facilities were inaugurated during the programme, including the park administration office, a live-feed unit, a central nursery, rehabilitation-centre facilities, a quarantine block, staff quarters, a zoo shop, a renovated main entrance, a cheetah enclosure, emu and rhea enclosures, a garden enclosure, a pheasant enclosure, a golden elephant care centre and a watchtower. Electric vehicles for the safari were also flagged off.
The park’s safari operations were demonstrated for the visiting minister, legislators and forest officials. Visitors and guests were taken around in battery-operated vehicles, while the minister and officials travelled in a safari vehicle. The programme was attended by Karnataka Pollution Control Board chairman B. Shivanna, MLA M. Krishnappa, Legislative Council member Sharavana, Karnataka Zoo Authority chairman Rangaswamy and senior forest officials.
The minister also said the park was considering bringing a giraffe from Mysuru Zoo after a giraffe died at Bannerghatta in May, leaving its companion alone. Under an international animal exchange programme, the park is expected to receive animals including jaguar, puma, chimpanzee, otter and eland, according to the statement.
The next steps on the eco-sensitive zone will depend on the court’s order, consultations with officials and the government’s determination of the boundary. No final revised notification was reported in the statement.
