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Thursday, March 28 2024
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Tough Forest Conservation Law obstructing road construction at Kodagu-DK border

Tough Forest Conservation Law Obstructing Construction Of Road
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Madikeri: The road connecting Thodikana to Sullia on the border of Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada is still undeveloped owing to Forest Conservation Act.

The 8 km-road is passing through Talacauvery wild life sanctuary and Pattighat Reserve Forest. Though the road is well-maintained from Aranthodu to Sullia, the 8-km stretch in Kodagu still has boulders only.

The villagers of Patti, Thodikana and Aranthodu have been pressurising the State Government to develop the road since decades. But still, development is pending. The road narrows the distance from Talacauvery to Kukke Subrahmanya to just 60 kilometres. At present people are traveling to the famous pilgrimage site, Kukke Subrahmanya through Madikeri- Mangaluru State Highway which is 135 kms.

If the road is developed amid reserve forest, people could save lot of time and expenses. This road narrows Mangalore – Talacauvery distance to 131 kms, at present people are traveling for 191 kilometres.

The State Forest Department Secretary wrote a letter to Union Ministry of Environments and Forests (MOEF) in the year 2013, seeking permission to develop two-kilometre road at Talacauvery Wildlife Life Sanctuary. The Forest Department Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) also wrote letter to State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to give permission to develop 6 kilometres of road in Pattighat Reserve Forest.

But till today the officials have not given permission citing Forest Conservation Laws. The State Government allotted Rs. 5 crores to develop the road in its budget. The Public Works Department Executive Engineer sent a proposal to DCF seeking permission to develop the road. But forest officials turned down the request saying the proposed road would destroy 12 hectares of thick forest.

Even environmentalists are opposing the project saying the road would obstruct the rare wildlife in the forest. But villagers are asking to develop the road and to allow them to use it at least during day time. They say that the NH connecting Mysuru-Kerala is passing amid Bandipura Tiger Reserve which is closed during night. The forest officials are yet to take action.

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