The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Karnataka Forest Department initiated a unique “conservation swap” to settle a controversy involving a forest corridor. Under the “conservation swap”, a 25-km-long wildlife corridor disrupted by a 220 KVA power transmission line in the Kudremukh National Park has been restored by allocating an 8.3-km stretch of forest for a new power line.

Says National Park area not to be expanded; no eviction of villagers

The State Forest department has once again mooted the proposal to get Kudremukh National Park (KNP) declared a Tiger Reserve, a status which has been withheld despite the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) giving its in-principle approval several months ago. Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, during the campaign for the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha byelection, had said the government would cancel the Tiger Reserve status enjoyed by Bhadra Tiger Reserve (BTR), besides dropping the proposal to get KNP declared a Tiger Reserve.

The State government has dropped a proposal to expand the Bhadra Tiger Reserve as well as include Kudremukh National Park under Project Tiger after local people opposed it, Law Minister Suresh Kumar told the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to the issue raised by Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, the minister said the government shelved the plan in the interest of tribals and other forest dwellers.

Jairam Ramesh says all formalities are expected to be completed soon
Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said here on Sunday that the Union government had approved two more tiger reserves in Karnataka and the formalities would be completed in a few days.

Mr. Ramesh told reporters that B.R.

NEW DELHI: Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh has sought a proposal from Karnataka for declaring the Kudremukh National Park a tiger reserve.

In a letter to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Mr.

ENVIRONMENT minister Jairam Ramesh has asked the Karnataka government to submit a proposal to declare the Kudremukh National Park in the Western Ghats as a tiger reserve.

Chikmagalur: Western Ghat Task Force Member Dr Keshava Hegde Korse said that the number of wild animals has been increased considerably after mining activities were wound up by the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited.

Speaking to Deccan Herald here on Tuesday, he said that a serene atmosphere prevails in the region after mining activities were stopped.

Though 390 families leading their lives in Kudremukh National Park limits are ready to vacate their land and leave, they allege that Government has not yet come up with any alternative facilities to rehabilitate them.

STEEL MINISTRY, K