Leopard safari launched at Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bengaluru, Jun 26: Karnataka Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday launched the leopard safari at the Bannerghatta Biological Park here and asked officials to provide saplings to visitors at discounted rates.
He said that zoos are known to care for wildlife but apart from entertainment, zoos should also become centres of knowledge.
While inaugurating various development works including leopard safari at the Biological Park in Bannerghatta, which is touted as South India's first and largest in the country, he said people who come to the biological park are happy to see the wildlife but they should also be made aware of at least 10 types of trees by providing them information so that they can recognise the trees here.
Khandre said visitors will get to see the big cats in their natural environment spread across 20 hectares (49.5 acres) of deciduous forest in which eight leopards have been released.
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The area is protected by a railway barricade and a chain link fence of 4.5 metre height.
In addition, metal sheets of 1.5 metres have been erected with a 30 degree slant, to ensure that the animals do not escape. The guidelines issued by the Central Zoo Authority have been adopted, he said.
The Minister noted that the hilly terrain of Bannerghatta covered with greenery hosts many leopards, whose cubs have been rescued by the officials often from agricultural fields. At present, the Biological Park rescue centre has 14 leopards.
As the department seeks to combine eco-tourism with afforestation, he asked officials to create awareness among the visitors at the zoo about biodiversity, the importance of oxygen-giving trees, role of forests and ecology in everyday life and sell saplings at discounted rates.
He urged officials to encourage them to buy a sapling on their way back home and plant it in front of their house and nurture it. In the same way that farmers are given saplings at a discounted rate, they also instructed that the visitors to the zoo should also be supplied with saplings at a discounted rate.
Khandre also inaugurated an elephant feeding centre built at a cost of Rs 10 lakh. The centre is aimed at creating a strong bond between mahuts and elephant calves, which are separated from their mothers at the age of three.
Presently, there are 26 elephants in Bannerghatta Biological Park and on an average, about two to three elephants are born every year. The centre will help mahuts and it will help to give round-the-clock care to the new-borns, the minister added.
Bhoomi Puja was also performed on Wednesday to begin work on a skywalk and five new animal enclosures at Bannerghatta Biological Park. The skywalk will connect the zoo with the butterfly park and provide a closer view of the canopy and birds.
He said the Biological Park will have a centre to support breastfeeding mothers and facilities will be provided to care for babies. Two more such centres will constructed by December next year.
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹೊರವಲಯದ ಬನ್ನೇರುಘಟ್ಟದ ಜೈವಿಕ ಉದ್ಯಾನದಲ್ಲಿಂದು ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಭಾರತದ ಮೊದಲ ಹಾಗೂ ದೇಶದ ಅತಿ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಚಿರತೆ ಸಫಾರಿ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದೆ. @aranya_kfd pic.twitter.com/2f2jcFTs4h
— Eshwar Khandre (@eshwar_khandre) June 26, 2024
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Lokayukta ADGP M. Chandrasekhar calls Kumaraswamy’s allegations ‘false, malicious’
Bengaluru: Lokayukta ADGP and Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief M. Chandrasekhar has strongly refuted the accusations of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and termed it ‘false and malicious.’
"HD Kumaraswamy, an accused in SIT's case no.16/14, made false and malicious allegations and threats in a press conference today," said Chandrashekar.
Chandrasekhar stated that these allegations were aimed at intimidating SIT officers, particularly as the SIT has sought legal action against Kumaraswamy, who is currently out on bail. "These accusations were made to prevent us from fulfilling our duties," Chandrasekhar remarked, adding that no matter the status of the accused, they will be treated fairly and according to the law.
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He further mentioned, “By attacking me, they may have intended to strike fear in the minds of the SIT officers. However, Chandrasekhar said that no matter how high in position and mighty an accused is, he is just an accused. We will not be deterred by such accusations and threats. I work fearlessly and impartially as SIT head, and promise to give justice to all. I also promise to protect you from criminals and accused in our cases and from external influences.”
Retorting to Kumaraswamy's allegations, Chandrashekar cited George Bernard Shaw’s famous quote, "Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it," explaining that although they may have to face criminals and accusations in their line of duty, they must remain steadfast in their mission.
“Never lose hope. Because truth always wins. Let us believe in truth, God and our law.Satyameva Jayate,” the letter read.
