Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 30 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed officials to resume safari and eco-tourism activities in Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, ensuring all necessary safety measures are strictly followed.
He also instructed officials to examine and effectively resolve any minor technical issues related to the Mekedatu project, noting that Tamil Nadu has been raising objections in the Supreme Court citing such minor grounds.
The directions were issued during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife, chaired by the Chief Minister in the committee room at Vidhana Soudha.
Officials informed the meeting that tiger and leopard density in the Bandipur and Nagarhole eco-tourism and safari zones is higher than in areas with frequent human-wildlife conflict. In light of this, the Chief Minister said safari activities should resume only after putting in place all precautionary and safety measures to ensure tourist safety.
Officials told the meeting that construction of the BMIC corridor has obstructed traditional movement routes of elephants, tigers, and leopards. As a result, wildlife is straying out of forest areas towards Channapatna and Ramanagara, contributing to increased human-wildlife conflict.
They further noted that while permission for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway included conditions to build underpasses, overpasses, and wildlife corridors for safe animal passage, these conditions were not properly implemented during construction.
Standing Committee members pointed out that despite earlier clear instructions to remove dry and dangerous trees and branches within BBMP limits, poor implementation has led to accidents caused by falling trees and branches during rain and wind.
Responding to this, the Chief Minister directed concerned officials to urgently identify, remove, and take preventive action on hazardous trees and branches, prioritising public safety.