BENGALURU: The long struggle to protect one of the largest lung spaces, Bannerghatta National Park, seems never ending. After the Union ministry of environment asked the state government to finalise the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the park, Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan said that things will be expedited with the state government.
“I will talk to CM Yediyurappa,” he said.
The draft notification for declaring ESZ around the national park, covering an area of 268.96 sqkm, was issued in June 2016. Even as it was under consideration, the state government requested for reducing ESZ to 181.57 sqkm. In Oct. 2018, the draft notification was published again for ESZ of 168.84 sqkm and ESZ extent varying from 100 metres to 1 km.
But citizen groups and environmentalists pointed out that any reduction in ESZ would impede wildlife.
Even before the ESZ was finalised, resorts, layouts and widening of roads was taken up. Following the violations, the union environment ministry on Aug 20 asked the state government to examine the possibility of retaining the original proposal on ESZ.
“This is the largest lung space and the acknowledgment of the Environment and Forest Ministry gives us hope that things will reach to a conclusion. Mr Mohan’s assurance is a breather,” said Vijay Nishanth, tree doctor.
