Kerala Government Demands Seamless 24/7 Access Through Critical Tiger Reserves

Bengaluru: Be it Bandipur or Nagarahole, the Kerala government always demands seamless 24/7 access through these critical tiger reserves to facilitate transport and trade. Now, there is a fresh demand to expand a bridge and allow 24/7 traffic, to increase commercial activity through the Mysore Mananthavady state highway.

Apex Court restricts road traffic: It should be noted that the honourable Supreme Court had restricted road traffic between 9pm to 6pm in NH766, traversing through the core of Bandipur to Kozhikode.

Seeking the expansion of a bridge in Dodda Byran Kuppe range: Though there is an existing 6pm to 6am ban on vehicular movement in Nagarahole tiger reserve, the Kerala government has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking the expansion of a bridge in Dodda Byran Kuppe range to expedite 24/7 traffic on the Mysore- Mananthavady road.

Pressing for unfettered traffic for the past 20 years: The existing bridge (near the defunct Balle elephant camp) cannot bear heavy loads. Kerala has been relentlessly pressing for unfettered traffic for the past 20 years through core, inviolate forest landscapes in Karnataka.

KFD rejects Kerala's proposal: Recently, the Karnataka chief secretary had written to the forest department seeking its opinion on expanding the existing bridge. Karnataka Forest Department has firmly rejected Kerala's proposal, underscoring a Supreme Court order which bans night traffic between 6pm to 6am in Nagarahole tiger reserve.

Senior forest officers and bureaucrats on Tuesday: Now, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, presiding chairman of the State Board for Wildlife, has summoned a meeting of senior forest officers and bureaucrats on Tuesday, October 8, to discuss the issue.

An escalation in man-animal conflicts: The devastating landslides on July 4, 2024, in Wayanad, which killed more than 400 people, have evidently not deterred Kerala's development agenda. There is serious concern that eco-tourism hubs will mushroom near Bavali, leading to an escalation in man-animal conflicts.

Objection to the resort illegally vending liquor: A resort-cum-bar on the Karnataka-Kerala border (Bavali) has been a bone of contention between the Karnataka government and local communities. Local people, including forest settlers, have objected to the resort illegally vending liquor. There have been agitations.

Belongs to an influential bureaucrat, a relative of a politician: The Karnataka Forest Department has also written to the Excise Commissioner (Mysore district) to cancel the bar license issued to the resort. But the resort-cum-bar continues to thrive, as it belongs to an influential bureaucrat, a relative of a politician.

Tigers, elephants, leopards, and deer could be victims of road accidents: Tigers, elephants, leopards, and deer could be victims of road accidents if the bridge is expanded and night traffic is allowed.

PS: the pictures are from the road accident near Chitoor for representation.

Inputs and Photos Courtesy: Joseph Hoover, Journalist, Wildlife Conservationist and former Member, of Karnataka State Wildlife Board.

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