Night Wildlife Safari at Bannerghatta Park Dropped
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Sep 24: The newly appointed Forest Minister C H Vijayashankar, who incidentally is the first minister to hold independent charge of this important portfolio in the B S Yeddyurappa cabinet, has opposed the proposed night wildlife safari at the Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore, on the grounds that it would adversely affect the wildlife.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting on the Forest Department related issues at the Krishna, Home Office of the Chief Minister, the new minister said that the proposed night wildlife safari at the Bannerghatta Park would be dropped in the interest of safeguarding the wildlife.
Five tigers and lions died at the park following bacterial infection and the deaths of these animals was a matter of grave concern, he said.
It may be recalled that the key minister among the all-powerful Bellary Reddy Brothers, Tourism and Infrastructure Minister G Janaradhan Reddy, had proposed the night safari at the Park to attract more tourists.
Vijayashankar said he would convince Reddy about disadvantages of the proposed night safari at the park and appeal to him to drop the project.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the Government has decided to urge the Central Government to grant land rights to non-tribals but forest dwellers in the State.
Yeddyurappa, who chaired a high-level official level meeting on issues related to Forest Department on Friday, told reporters that the Forest Act, 2008, envisages granting of land rights for tribal families dwelling in forests for generations.
The Government would urge the Centre to amend the Forest Act to enable non-tribals to get land rights, the Chief Minister said.
A large number of non-tribal people have been residing in forests in Mysore, Chikmaglur, Chamaranagara, Udupi, Shimoga, Kodagu, Uttara Kannada and other districts in the State.
But they had been denied ownership of lands under the present Forest Act, he said.
Asked about the encroachment of forest lands, Yeddyurappa said stern action would be taken against families who acquire forest lands illegally.
Already large tracts of forest lands had been acquired by farmers and planters in various districts.
Replying to a question, he said the government would not postpone elections to taluk and zilla panchayats in the State. The elections would be held as per the scheduled, he said.
On the issue of allocating ministers in-charge of various districts, he said a decision on the matter would be taken soon.