Save Bannerghatta: Over 12,000 people send their objections to Ministry of Environment

Bengaluru, Dec 29: Over 12,000 people have signed for the petition challenging the draft notification of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to reduce the area of Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Bannerghatta National Park (BNP).

According to activists, the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) in the Bannerghatta National Park has been reduced from 269 sq km to 169 sq km due to mining interests. Thousands of trees will be cut down to dig out and drill into the earth.

The campaign has listed following challenges posed by the mining.

1. Mining right next to the park means increase in pollution and disturbance to animals and people living in the park.

2. Cutting down forest area increases the chance of animals entering the city and causing harm to life and property. This has already happened several times in the recent past.

3. Bannerghatta National Park is the only green space left in the country. This is the beginning of our only remaining forest disappearing.

The campaign gained momentum after a draft notification released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change proposed to reduce the area of Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Bannerghatta National Park (BNP).

United Bengaluru and Jhatkaa Two launched two separate online campaigns to rally support to save Bannerghatta.