Dharwad: State Forest Minister Ramanath Rai has said that the government intended to set up a biological park in Dharwad in line with the one at Hospet.
Speaking after performing foundation laying ceremony for “Aranya Bhavan” proposed to be built at a cost of Rs. 8 Crore in Dharwad on Friday, Ramanath Rai said though opinions differ over keeping animals in zoos and under controlled environment, getting clearance for such activities from National Zoo Authority is another challenge. However, the government will support setting up of a Biological park in Dharwad paving way for people to watch animals in natural environment, he added.
“Following drought situation for the third year, animals are entering human habitats in search of food and water. The forest department has put demands to set up borewells with solar pump facility in forest area, to quench the thirst of animals,” he said.
Smaller plants will be planted and nurtured instead of saplings under social forestry scheme, he said adding that incentives for planting and protecting saplings would be increased henceforth from Rs. 45 to Rs. 100 per one plant, he disclosed.
The compensation for loss of life under man-animal conflict has been increased from Rs. 50000 to Rs. 5 Lakh, he announced.
State first:
“Karnataka stands first in wildlife conservation with more than 400 tigers and around six thousand elephants residing here. Our efforts for wildlife conservation has been commended by the Centre,” Rai added.
MLA N H Konareddy said the state government must take immediate action to hand over additional land to the forest department against the quantum of forest land to be used for Kalasa Banduri project. If this was done early, it would help getting clearance from the Central Environment Authority for the project, he added.
MLA Aravind Bellad, Karnataka Forest Development Corporation Chairman Nagaraj Chebbi, Additional Chief Secretary of Forest Department P Ravikumar, Chief Conservator of Forest R S Suresh and other officials were present.
