Karnataka govt’s U-turn cheers up experts and forest officials

The government’s U-turn on night safari at Bannerghatta Biological Park has come as welcome relief for experts and forest officials. They hope the court too gives the judgment in favour of conservation.

Reacting to the government’s decision, experts said the latest cabinet reshuffle has made the government wiser on conservation.

Speaking to DNA, biodiversity expert Harish R Bhat said the safari on the elephant corridor would only lead to man-animal conflict.
“So there is no need for night safari. There are many vacant sites, including revenue land. The government should utilise them and not the forest land. There is too much pressure in the Bannerghatta Park. Two sloth bears were injured in the safari area,’’ he said.

Sanjay Gubbi, member of state board for wildlife, said: 
“It is a very positive thing that wild elephant habitat has been spared. Bangalore is one of the few places in the world that has elephants right next to the city. It should be saved for posterity. Tourism should be encouraged but not at the cost of wildlife,” he said.

Deepak, a conservationist fighting against the safari, said: “I will not leave this issue like this. I will try to ensure that the government does not destroy any land and hamper the peace of animals further. 

Praveen Bhargav, managing trustee of Wildlife First and member of National Board for Wildlife, said there is a need to regulate tourism in wildlife reserves as it is bound to create disturbance.

“We do not have large areas like Africa to adopt their model. The contexts are different. This, the government must realise. There are no large areas and buffer zones, so we have to be very careful,” he said.

“There was no model with the government. Just because Singapore has a night safari does not mean that we too should need one,” he said.

Forest department officials, who quietly opposed the safari plan from the very beginning, are now celebrating.

 “This project would have increased the man-elephant conflict in and around Bannerghatta. The government’s decision to drop the safari plan is most welcome,” said a forest official requesting anonymity.