For Bangaloreans perennially at the mercy of power disruptions, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) could come out with a solar solution. The Mayor has issued a note to formulate an action plan to electrify all government and ‘private buildings’ that would be under construction within its limits, through solar energy.

With the demand for power surging by 18 per cent annually, as indicated by the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), the Palike could make the use of solar energy mandatory for the buildings owned by State Government, BBMP and private buildings.

Experts say a bigger area will help set up anti-poaching camps, aid patrolling

The delay in acquiring land on the northern fringes of the Nagarahole National Park has cost the tiger population dear. A view of the Devmachi Forest The demarcation boundary in Doddaharave, between Periyapatna and Kushalnagar range in the north of Nagarahole, has turned into a favourite destination for poachers. According to Forest Department statistics, eight instances of poaching had been reported from the area since January 2009.

The City’s biggest water body, Bellandur lake, faces the threat of extinction finds a study by the Energy and Wetland Research Centre (EWRC) and Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

slow death A view of the Bellandur lake. The lake is being dried up to pave the way for concrete structures (residential complexes). The day is not far when nearly one fourth of the people in the City are forced to consume highly contaminated water. A study by Dr T V Ramachandra - senior scientist, EWRC,

Conservation effort

The State government has given its nod for the construction of an alternative road connecting Mysore and Mananthavadi, bypassing the Nagarahole National Park. The existing road had led to controversies, as it passes through critical tiger habitat. The government released Rs 18 crore for the alternative road last week. The problem began five years ago when it was proposed to construct a 28.5-km road between Mysore and Mananthavadi to connect Karnataka with Kerala. Fourteen kilometre of the proposed road was to pass through the Nagarahole Park.

Company violating guidelines, says MoEF panel

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) Committee, which visited the mini-hydel power project sites in the Western Ghats following an order of the High Court of Karnataka, has found glaring violation of the Wildlife Act by privately owned Maruthi Power (Gen) India Private Limited (MPIPL).

Officials fail to act despite orders from the Forest Minister

A Tamil Nadu company has allegedly been quarrying on an encroached government land at the tiger reserve near Biligirirangana Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRTWLS) near Huthuri village in Hanur of Kollegal taluk.

Area selected for project is near tank that quenches animals’ thirst

The State government’s initiative to restore the glory of ‘Gandhadagudi’ (abode of sandalwood) in the State through its ‘Siri Chandanavana’ project does not seem to be in order.

The 134.88 sq km area of Chincholi forest in Karnataka has now been declared South India’s first dryland wildlife sanctuary to protect the prime wolf and hyena habitat.

The Karnataka State Forest Department notified the forest on November 28, marking another step by Karnataka to conserve prime wolf and hyena habitat of Chincholi forest spread across Gulbarga and Yadgir districts. It will be named as the ‘Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary.’

The 134.88 sq km area of Chincholi forest in Karnataka has now been declared as South India’s first dryland wildlife sanctuary to protect the prime wolf and hyena habitat.

The Karnataka State Forest Department notifying the forest on November 28, marking another step by Karnataka to conserve prime wolf and hyena habitat of Chincholi forest spread across Gulbarga and Yadgir district in the Karnataka. It will be named as the ‘Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary.’

Forest dept assuages farmers’ concerns regarding ecologically-sensitive zone tag

It will be curtains on resorts around the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, with people in the forest fringes, including elected representatives, raising objections.
The meeting with the locals to discuss the notification of ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ) around the tiger reserve has unanimously decided to put an end to the resort menace, while the existing resorts will not be allowed to expand.