Activists warn of ecological threats at Nandi Hills amid growing tourism
Bengaluru: Conservationists and activists have raised concerns over the environmental damage to Nandi Hills, a popular tourist destination around 60 kilometres from Bengaluru, and urged the state government to protect it from increasing tourism and unregulated development. A city-based NGO has demanded that Nandi Hills, located in Chikkaballapur district, be declared a biodiversity hub.
In an event organised by the Universal Human Rights Service Foundation (UHRSF) on Thursday, former forest secretary A.N. Yellappa Reddy highlighted the ecological strain caused by rising tourist numbers at Nandi Hills. "At the same time, activities that affect the ecology of the hills are increasing. Projects like Nandi Hills Ropeway, which are being taken up to attract more tourists, will only bring harm to the area, making it susceptible to landslides. There is a rapid growth in the number of resorts, which has put pressure on the ecology. The government needs to wake up immediately. Else, it will face the consequences," the renowned environmentalist was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.
UHRSF’s founder-president, C.D. Kiran, emphasized the historical and cultural significance of Nandi Hills, urging the Karnataka government to recognise its importance before irreversible damage occurs. He highlighted the need for the government to prioritise eco-friendly measures and the preservation of the natural habitat, which would help maintain the uniqueness of Nandi Hills while also supporting local communities.
Conservationist T.J. Renuka Prasad highlighted Nandi Hills' vital role in the region’s water supply. He said five rivers originate from Nandi Hills: Uttara Pinakini, Dakshina Pinakini, Arkavathi, Chitravathi, and Papagni. "It supports life and livelihood for lakhs of people in the region, who believe that the waters from the hills have medicinal and spiritual qualities. However, the springs have dried up due to lack of groundwater recharging. Managing groundwater is a key component in the conservation of the ecosystem," the publication quoted him as saying.
Activists further emphasised that representations have been made to 11 departments, but no action has been taken yet. They pointed to the recent landslides in Karnataka and Wayanad in Kerala, as cautionary examples of what could happen if the issue is ignored.
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Gold crown gifted by PM Modi to Bangladesh temple stolen amid Durga Puja celebrations
Dhaka, Oct 11: A gold crown gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stolen from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh's southwestern Satkhira district amid Durga Puja celebrations, a theft over which India has expressed concern.
Bangladesh police on Friday said they have identified a man and launched a massive manhunt to recover the gold crown that was stolen from the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple on Thursday.
In a post on 'X', the Indian High Commission in Dhaka expressed deep concern over the theft and called upon the authorities to recover the article and take action against the perpetrators of the crime.
“A massive manhunt is underway to arrest the culprit identified through the CCTV footage,” Satkhira’s police chief Monirul Islam said adding that the police were aware that the issue was sensitive.
The police superintendent said the crown was stolen between 2.47 pm and 2.50 pm on Thursday.
A private news channel showed a young man wearing a white t-shirt and jeans sneaking into the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple and removing the golden part of the crown and pocketing it while nobody was inside the temple.
A woman worker later discovered that the crown was missing from the head of the Kali statue and raised the alarm.
According to Hindu residents of the neighbourhood, priest Dilip Kumar Banerjee went home as per his daily routine after the afternoon puja, leaving the key of the temple with Rekha who was in charge of the temple services.
“It could be a simple case of theft or it could be a case of an orchestrated plot. We demand the matter be investigated properly and the persons involved be brought to justice,” leader of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council Krishna Mukherjee said.
Modi gifted the crown on March 27, 2021, during his Bangladesh visit.
India expressed concern over the incident with its high commission in Dhaka issuing a statement asking authorities to recover the crown and take action against the perpetrators.
"We express concern over the incident and urge the Government of Bangladesh to investigate the theft, recover the crown and take action against the perpetrators," the High Commission said in a Facebook post.
The theft took place even as the country ordered an extra security vigil as the Hindu community’s biggest religious festival Durga Puja is underway.
📹 Kali Jewel Heist Caught on Camera: Crown Gifted by Modi Stolen from Temple in Bangladesh
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) October 11, 2024
Staff at the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Satkhira reported the silver & gold-plated piece gone on Thursday. (Daily Star)
Indian PM Modi presented it as a gift during a visit in 2021. pic.twitter.com/1cmP21ABdL
