Bengaluru: Coming under attack from citizens and civil society groups over the govt’s several mega projects and policy initiatives that might negatively impact Karnataka’s ecology, forest minister Ramalinga Reddy Tuesday assured them he would intervene in issues directly under the forest department’s purview, while other matters would be taken up at the govt level for consideration.The minister was participating in a day-long public consultation with citizen groups here. While agreeing with several suggestions, the minister said he had been contemplating amendments to multiple acts and rules to strengthen the protection of Karnataka’s flora and fauna.Big takeaways from the no-holds-barred discussions.Turahalli ExploitationDays after the CM announced plans to develop tree parks around Bengaluru, citizens urged the minister not to disturb the natural landscape of Turahalli Reserve Forest. Jeevala Trust recalled a similar proposal during the previous BJP govt that was later aborted.“The govt can make use of Turahalli park, spread over 30-35 acres, and upgrade it into a tree park,” said Subrahmanya Kodipadi. Reddy readily agreed with the suggestion.On parcels of green space set aside for Tunnel Road and other infrastructure projects, Reddy said the legislation had now been withdrawn and there was no proposal to bring it back.Pollution, PlasticsWith concerns mounting over water and air pollution, representatives from ATREE and other NGOs demanded real-time publication of pollution data from BWSSB, apartment-complex sewage treatment plants and other agencies. Reddy said the govt had already directed apartments, BWSSB and KIADB to rectify lapses affecting waterbodies.“Soon, we will review the compliance and initiate action against offenders,” he said, adding the govt would crack down on single-use plastic items.Elephants At EventsWildlife activist Suparna Ganguly and PETA representatives urged the minister to enforce a complete ban on the use of elephants at weddings, festivals and other events, particularly by VIPs and govt representatives. The activists suggested that robotic elephants could be used instead. Reddy responded positively to the proposal.Western Ghats EchoExperts shed light on the implementation of Kasturirangan recommendations on eco-sensitive areas in Western Ghats. Madhuri Mandava, co-founder of Paani.Earth platform, urged Reddy not to reject the Centre’s seventh draft notification. The minister said recommendations would be discussed in the legislature next week.Activists and planters from Kodagu called for large-scale planting of bamboo and fruit-bearing saplings inside forest areas to help retain elephants and other primate species within forests and reduce their movement into human settlements.Helpline SoonWhen Reddy proposed setting up a helpline for queries related to forest dept, citizens pointed to several defunct helplines operated and sought a reliable communication channel.“We’ll set up a fully functional helpline in a day or two, with a dedicated workforce deployed throughout the day to attend to the calls and provide people with the status of their complaints, ranging from forest issues to pollution problems,” he said.
