Indian
Express: Bengaluru: Thursday, September 27, 2018.
Activists
have alleged that the forest department stands exposed with regard to illegal
activities in Bannerghatta National Park. In a letter dated May 14, 2018, the
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) wrote to the Additional Chief
Secretary, Forest, Environment and Ecology Department, stating that allegations
of illegal activities in the park are baseless, and that the allegations were
made by former High Court judge Justice MF Saldanha.
However,
response to a RTI application filed by Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) to the
Deputy Conservator of Forests revealed that several mining operations were
functioning within the 1 km safe zone and 10 km buffer zone. The RTI provided
the minutes of a meeting held between officials from the Forest Department and
the Mining and Geology Department, on 14 June 2018.
Addressing
the media on Wednesday, Suresh NR, Convener, United Bengaluru said the forest
department itself had stated in the meeting the activities such as quarrying,
stone crushing and manufacturing of M-sand were being carried out in the
restricted areas.
The
Forest Department has shut down 15 mining leases that fall within the buffer
zone of 10 km of the BNP. Several of these firms have approached the Court,
demanding to continue their activities.