Kodagu Group Urges Minister to Halt Pushpagiri Sanctuary Road Project
The Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga has formally appealed to Forest Minister Eshwar Kandre, urging him not to approve a controversial proposal to construct a road through the ecologically sensitive Pushpagiri Sanctuary in Kodagu. The organization has voiced strong opposition to the revival of this project, highlighting significant legal complications and past litigation that have plagued the initiative for years.
Legal History and Supreme Court Involvement
The matter dates back to 2012 when it reached the Supreme Court of India. Following the court's directives, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) conducted a thorough inspection of the site. The CEC's subsequent report was damning, indicating that certain officials and elected representatives had acted in defiance of the Supreme Court's explicit orders regarding the sanctuary.
In December 2022, the National Green Tribunal issued a direction to the chief secretary, mandating compliance actions concerning violations linked to the proposed road. This legal backdrop underscores the persistent regulatory challenges facing the project.
Fresh Attempts and Political Pressure
According to the Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga, there are now renewed efforts to restart construction of the Pushpagiri road. The organization has demanded that the proposal be scrapped immediately, pointing out that Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda has actively sought budgetary sanction for the project, adding political momentum to the initiative.
Environmental Policy Violations
The forum has emphasized the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's strict policy, which explicitly prohibits the construction of new roads inside national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This policy is designed to protect fragile ecosystems and biodiversity from disruptive human activities.
Additionally, the organization has submitted an affidavit previously filed by senior officers before the Supreme Court, in which permission for the road was categorically denied. This document serves as a critical piece of evidence against the project's feasibility and legality.
Call for Ministerial Intervention
The Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga has urgently called upon Minister Eshwar Kandre to intervene and ensure that no budgetary approval is granted for the Pushpagiri road project. The group argues that proceeding with the construction would not only violate environmental laws but also disregard the Supreme Court's past rulings and the recommendations of regulatory bodies like the CEC and National Green Tribunal.
The ongoing debate highlights the tension between development initiatives and environmental conservation, with local organizations like the Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga advocating for the protection of Pushpagiri Sanctuary's natural heritage against infrastructural encroachments.
