Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday directed officials to resume safari and eco-tourism activities in Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks with appropriate safety measures in place.
He issued the directive during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board at Vidhana Soudha.The CM is the chairman of the wildlife board.
Officials informed the meeting that tiger and leopard densities were higher in the eco-tourism and safari zones of Bandipur and Nagarahole than in areas witnessing high levels of human-wildlife conflict.
"In this context, the CM directed that safari activities be resumed by strictly following the necessary precautionary and safety measures so that there is no compromise on the safety of tourists," the CMO said in a statement.
At the meeting, officials said the construction of the Bengaluru–Mysore Infrastructure Corridor had obstructed the traditional movement routes of elephants, tigers and leopards.
"As a result, wildlife is moving out of forest areas into the Channapatna and Ramanagara regions, which is also a major reason for the increase in human-wildlife conflict," the CMO said.
Officials informed the meeting that when permission was granted for the construction of the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway, it was subject to the condition that the required underpasses, overpasses and wildlife corridors be built to facilitate the safe movement of wildlife.
They said these conditions were not fully complied with during the road's construction.
Members of the standing committee also informed the CM that, despite clear instructions to remove dried-up and hazardous trees and branches within the GBA limits, incidents of trees falling continued to be reported due to inadequate implementation.
Responding to the concerns, the CM directed the officials concerned to prioritise public safety and urgently identify and remove hazardous trees and branches to prevent accidents.
He noted that Tamil Nadu was attempting to raise objections before the Supreme Court over the Mekedatu project by citing "minor technical issues."
The project aims to provide drinking water to Bengaluru city. It involves constructing a dam on the Cauvery River near its confluence with the Arkavathi River in the Ramanagara district at Kanakapura, the hometown of Shivakumar.
It includes a power station designed to generate 400 MW of renewable hydroelectricity.
"The CM directed officials to examine whether such technical issues exist and resolve them effectively," the statement added.
