Three legislators, including speaker KG Bopaiah, MLC SG Medappa, and MLA Appachu Ranjan have been cited in a case of destruction of wildlife habitat and violation of forest and wildlife acts by the central empowerment Committee (CEC). The committee has recommended stern intervention by the Supreme Court against them.

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The CEC examined a complaint and an interlocutory application filed by Air Marshal (Rtd) KC Nanda Cariappa of Kodagu against them for allegedly felling trees and constructing illegal roads in Kadamkall forest areas coming under Pushpagiri, Brahmagiri and Talacauvery wildlife sanctuaries.

These actions had been cited by Cariappa as willful violation of forest and wildlife act.

Cariappa alleged that a road was built illegally inside ward 89 of the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. This road runs for 10 km through Pattighat Reserve Forest connecting Dabbadaka to Bhagamandala-Karike Road.

Cariappa pointed out that a road was constructed on forest land from Heggademane to the fringes of the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and another road was built through the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary without prior permission.

The report of the CEC headed by PV Jayakrishnan said Bopaiah, Medappa and Ranjan committed the crime knowing well that any intervention in the reserve forests or wildlife sanctuaries should be permitted by the Supreme Court.

Even the paramilitary forces will have to take that permission to enter and do any activity there.

The CEC report said conservator of forests, Kodagu circle, GS Sudarshan and deputy commissioner Baladeva Krishna should also be made party to this offence for violating the Supreme Court order dated December 12, 1996 and February 14, 2000. The orders were passed in relation with the forest and wildlife act.