Deputy CM’s plans for more development atop Chamundi Hills raise environmentalists’ hackles

Mysuru: Pointing to the glaring contradiction in its actions, environmentalists in the city are raising their voice against the state government, which has proposed the construction of a Dasoha Bhavana and an accommodation facility for the devotees. “On the one hand, the government is organising one cleanliness drive after another at the hills, which the officials say will enhance the tourist spot’s reputation, while on the other, it is proposing to construct concrete structures atop the hills, which will irreversibly damage the local environment,” said wildlife photographer and Mysuru district wildlife warden Lokesh Mosale on Tuesday.
Mosale’s remarks follow an announcement made by deputy chief minister Govind Karjol, who inspected the status of the multi-level parking facility atop the hills on Tuesday. Karjol said that he was considering the suggestions of Mysuru MP Pratap Simha and Chamundeshwari MLA and senior JD(S) leader GT Devegowda to construct a Dasoha Bhavan, and a new facility to accommodate devotees.
Dubbing the government’s ‘plans’ disturbing, Mosale added, “Leaders must have an understanding about the need to preserve the ecological balance. They should be sensitive towards nature, and preserving its beauty.”
The photographer feared that, should the government heed the voices of a few vested interests and proceed with the execution of such projects, one would soon behold the destruction of Chamundi Hills. “We are already seeing the calamities resulting owing to excessive intervention of humans with nature. It is sad that we are visiting depredations on nature owing to our endless demands,” Mosale said.
Lauding the state government’s initiative wherein revenue land on the fringes of Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves are being converted into forest land under the ‘Social forestry’ initiative, Mosale said, “We need to implement the same initiative in Chamundi Hills. Have social forestry here. The forest department must prohibit the construction of structures atop the hills. In fact, any new structures atop the hills must be built only after both the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and forest department have approved the plan.”
Urging Mysuru deputy commissioner Abhiram G Sankar and the district in-charge minister V Somanna to declare Chamundi Hills an eco-sensitive zone, the district wildlife warden chief called for stringent action against those found violating environmental laws. “The Chamundi Hills is presently under the purview of the revenue department, but the forest department must be entrusted the responsibility of protecting it,” said Mosale.
He cited the failure of the revenue department to delineate the boundaries of the forest land in and around the hills as the reason for the unchecked developmental activities in its vicinity. “Both government and private layouts have sprung up and the once pristine environment has been destroyed. The district administration must immediately declare the Chamundi Hills a ‘Green Zone’ to preserve it for posterity,” concluded Mosale.