Environmentalists cry foul over move to open Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary

Belagavi

The state government's decision to open the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur for a wildlife safari has sparked controversy and is facing backlash from environmentalists.

A couple of days ago, tourism minister HK Patil announced that the government is soon going to start a wildlife safari in BWS. A total of 18 km stretch of the sanctuary would be used for the safari.

According to the Minister, it would be a game-changer in the tourism sector of   district.
However, environmentalists are unhappy with the govt's decision to launch a wildlife safari in the extremely sensitive biodiversity spread over 19,042.5 hectares. This is a protected area and human entry is restricted here, as it is a habitat for several wildlife species, including tigers.

More than 3,000 people live in 13 hamlets in BWS and have done so for many decades. This population has been living with great hardships without proper road connectivity, lack of schooling and health facilities, and other basic amenities. The central government declared Bhimgad Forest a wildlife sanctuary in 2011, and since then, the forest department has restricted all developmental activities in the sanctuary.

The decision of the government to allow the wildlife safari has surprised environmentalists.  We, around seven environmentalists, held a meeting   and decided to oppose the government's move of opening Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary for safari. This was unexpected on behalf of the government. More surprising is how the forest department permitted it, said Retired Colonel and environmentalist Ravindra Saini.
Presently, the sanctuary is restricted to public.

 If it is opened for   safari, public movement will begin on a large scale. It would also lead to commercial activities and   cutting of trees for making roads and creating basic facilities for the tourists,   Saini said.