Greens protest against B’ghatta RFO’s transfer

Bengaluru: The state government has ordered the transfer of Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) V Ganesh to Karnataka Rubber Board in Sullia (Dakshina Kannada) sparking off an outrage among wildlife environmentalists.

The animal conservationists believe that the coalition government which is trembling over its future has however buckled under pressure from the mining and quarrying lobby.  

Despite the suspension of quarrying and mining activities in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the BNP, pictures of smoke bellowing in the air captured by the whistleblower show that the operations are in full swing.

“The government may change and just before they leave, the chief minister might want to please the mining and quarrying lobby. Despite the high court order, quarrying is on in full spate in the eco-sensitive zone of the BNP.  The RFO is an upright officer and has been a pain for the mining mafia. The government must revoke this order,” said Bhanu Prakash R, coordinator, Bannerghatta Nature Conservation Trust.

Vijay Nishanth, founder of Project Vrusksha  expressed his displeasure over the transfer of the officer.

“He has a clean image. He has a reputation of being connected to the local communities. It is clear that the government does not want an honest officer with a no-nonsense attitude,” he added.

In October 2018, the chief minister took the flak for transferring Assistant Conservator of Forest, Ravindra Kumar, the officer responsible for the recovery of 130 acres of forest land from different parts of the city.