By P.T. Bopanna
Despite the Supreme Court ruling against forming road across Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda (in picture) is hell-bent on the formation of the road.
Hailing from Hassan district, the Congress MLA is apparently not familiar with the issues involving Kodagu district. Due to his lack of knowledge, he comes out with fancy ideas. For instance, a few months ago, he had disclosed his plans to build a mini airport near Madikeri, without realising the fact that the area is prone to landslides.
In the Legislative Assembly, Mantar Gowda urged the forest department to sanction survey for Galibeedu-Kadamakal-Subramanya road between Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts.
The MLA is not aware that as far back as 2012, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) set up by the Supreme Court, had submitted a report that the construction of the road was “not only in violation of the laws of the land but also amounted to contempt” of the apex court orders.
Following a public interest litigation filed by retired Air Marshal K.C. Cariappa, the Apex Court directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to make an on the spot study of the situation and file a report.
In a blatant violation of the law, the Kodagu district administration, backed by the two Kodagu MLAs, and supported by local villagers attempted to lay a road through the Pushpagiri reserve forest, amid opposition from Karnataka forest officials way back in 2009.
Forest minister Eshwara Khandre should not yield to pressure from politicians to take up projects aimed at promoting vote bank politics.
