Huge support for ‘Walk for Bandipur’ campaign

A large number of people, led by environmentalists, took part in the padayatra ‘Bandipuradadega Namma Nadige’, stressing on not to lift the night traffic ban on the National Highway passing through Bandipur forest and maintain status-quo with the restrictions, at Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district, on Sunday.

Gundlupet: People from various walks of life staged a silent apolitical protest rally against lifting the ban of night traffic on National Highway 766, that passes through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka towards Sulthan Bathery, Kerala.

A large number of people, led by environmentalists, took part in the padayatra ‘Bandipuradadega Namma Nadige, ’ stressing not to lift the night traffic ban on the National Highway passing through Bandipur forest and maintain the status-quo with the restrictions, at Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district, on Sunday.

The protest march was taken out from Kaggala Hundi to Maddur check post covering around 2.5kms. Hundreds of people, members of around 40 organisations, voluntarily took part in the protest taken out as part of the ‘Save Bandipur’ campaign to show their solidarity for continuing the ban of night traffic on Bandipur-Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Members of Dalit, Farmers, progressive and Kannada organisations, along with various Non-Government Organisations took part in the padayatra.

The environmentalists carried posters reading ‘No to night traffic’ Save wild animals and others ' during the protest march.

Speaking at a public meeting at Maddur check post, environmentalist Senani said, “There are around eight million species of biodiversity on earth, including humans. The ruling governments should realise the fact that humans can survive only if biodiversity survives."

A decade ago, one vehicle used to ply every 15 minutes on the national highway, at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Now, there is a movement of one vehicle every five seconds.

The vehicular density has increased. In this situation, if the government approves night traffic movement, it would destroy biodiversity, the Greens warned

Human interference in the forest is unacceptable. Construction of wide roads and flyovers in the name of development is not practical, Senani opined.

Environmentalists Krupakar, Joseph Hoover, Nagarjuna Kumar, ex-Forest officer Balachandra and others participated.