Citizens under the United Conservation Movement launched ‘Walk for Bandipur’, opposing the possible lifting of the night traffic ban through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, in Chamarajanagar district on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The resistance to the renewed efforts to lift the night traffic ban through the famed Bandipur Tiger reserve appears to be building as activists and citizens, including farmers, launched the ‘Walk for Bandipur’ campaign on Sunday, amidst growing concerns.
The march intends to drum up support for the continuation of the night traffic ban, consequent to apprehensions that it may be lifted as a result of political reasons and pressure from Kerala.
An initiative of the United Conservation Movement, the walk began from the Primary Health Centre, Kaggala Hundi, about 2.5 km before the Maddur check post on the road to Sultan Bathery. The organisers said the walk is a statement against compromising ecological balance and conservation imperatives under the pretext of development or public convenience.
The ‘Walk for Bandipur’ is supported by people not only from Mysuru, Bengaluru, and other places, but also by local farmers and the general public drawn from various villages on the forest fringes that bear the brunt of the conflict situation.
Former Director of Bandipur T. Balachander, who addressed the rally, said the night traffic ban has not created any problems for the general public and has played a crucial role in minimising conflict and the death of wild animals by road accidents. However, if the ban was eased or lifted, the conflict was bound to increase.
₹40 crore in compensation
The State government was already paying ₹40 crore every year by way of compensation due to crop loss or human deaths because of conflict around Bandipur alone. This was bound to increase in case the night traffic ban was lifted, said Mr. Balachander. Hence, the government should not lift the night traffic ban under any circumstances, he added.
Memorandum submitted
A memorandum, addressed to the Conservator of Forests and Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, was also submitted. The memorandum said the highway 766 passing through the tiger reserve, had become a graveyard for wildlife prior to the implementation of night traffic ban.
It pointed out that between 2004 and 2007, the highway had witnessed a staggering number of wildlife fatalities which included 91 mammals from 14 species, 75 birds from 18 species, and 56 reptiles from 16 species that were killed by speeding vehicles. ‘’This figure exceeded even poaching statistics during the same period,” it stated. However, after the enforcement of the night ban, roadkill incidents reportedly dropped by over 90%, with only nine recorded between 2022 and 2024, according to the UCM Trust.
More rallies and protests
The UCM’s Plans include similar rallies and protests in Mysuru, Bengaluru, and other places besides reaching out to lawmakers and elected representatives, urging them not to lift the night traffic ban through Bandipur.
MLA for Gundlupet Ganesh Prasad, who addressed the gathering, said there was no proposal before the government to lift the night traffic ban, and Kerala had only sought a few additional buses to ply through the tiger reserve in addition to the four buses that are permitted at present, during night hours.
The Chief Minister and the Forest Minister will also be apprised of the concerns and views of the concerned citizens, and the government is committed to protecting the forests, he added.
Farmers, under the aegis of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, also took part in the campaign.
Published – April 06, 2025 07:04 pm IST