A B Vajpayee zoo still awaiting approval

BANGALORE: The idea of establishing the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park at Bilikalu West Reserve Forest area near Hampi at Kamalapura, Bellary District, was mooted by former minister G Janardhana Reddy.However, the idea does not seem to be welcomed by the local wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists, as the 250 acres of land allotted for the zoo includes parts of the reserve forest and lies in the buffer zone (within a radius of 1 km) of Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary.“The land allotted has been home to many wildlife species mainly bears, leopards, pangolins, rusty spotted cats and yellow throated bulbuls for decades.Besides, it also a breeding ground for eagles, owls and spotted owlets.Once this zoo is established, all the green patches in the forest will be cleared spoiling natural habitat,” says an environmentalist working for an NGO at Bellary.A similar proposal for the same zoo which was made in 2002-2003 had been rejected by the authorities.Speaking to Express, another wildlife enthusiast, on condition of anonymity said, “Though the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) says that they have already received permission from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), but since the proposed zoo is coming up within an area which is less than one km from the boundary of the only Sloth Bear Sanctuary in the world, it has to get special clearance from the National Board for Wildlife as well.” “When there is already a sanctuary in the area, a zoo is not necessary.In the process it will only disturb the animal habitat,” he said.Expressing concern he said, “We are not against the construction of a zoo, but the authorities can make use of revenue land which is available.” He added that, “Bellary has already lost huge forest cover for illegal mining.Using this priceless forest for the zoo is another blow for our ever depleting forests.” However, the state Forest Department does not have any say in the matter.B K Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) said, “Once the master plan for the zoo project has been approved by the CZA (which is a body of the Ministry of Environment and Forests), clearance from the state Forest Department is not required.” When contacted, M N Jayakumar, Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka said, “We have already received the approval from Central Zoo Authority to come up with a zoo at Kamalapura at Bellary district.” “Since, the area allotted seems to be very humid, before considering it, the present Forest Minister wants to have another discussion,” he added.