Environmentalists from across Karnataka are rallying to protect the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sowparnika River that flows through it. The campaign is rapidly gaining momentum, with activists deploying QR codes to encourage the public to scan, learn, and take action against ongoing alleged environmental violations.
Campaign Details
Several environmental groups, including NECF, Aranya, and Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha (Society for Forest, Environment & Climate Change), are part of this initiative. They have raised objections to illegal activities within the notified Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), including permissions granted for commercial establishments. Activists have highlighted the direct discharge of untreated sewage into the Sowparnika River.
Allegations and Actions
According to a spokesperson from Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha, environmentalists have been reaching out to the forest minister, top forest officials, and heads of the Kundapur and Kudremukh wildlife divisions regarding serious and continuing violations of the ESZ notification and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These violations are occurring within the legally protected landscape of the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary.
The facts reveal systematic illegal commercial activities, habitat disturbance, and pollution, coupled with a complete failure of statutory authorities and the ESZ Monitoring Committee, resulting in ongoing ecological degradation. As per the ESZ notification dated April 13, 2017, Kolluru village falls within the notified ESZ. Yet, large-scale commercial activities have been permitted and established there without any regulatory scrutiny or environmental safeguards.
Legal Violations
The environmentalists stated that ongoing activities within and around the sanctuary constitute serious offenses under the Wildlife Act, which prohibits destruction, exploitation, or diversion of wildlife habitat without prior approval from the state government and the National Board for Wildlife. Additionally, the discharge of untreated sewage into the Souparnika River represents a serious ecological and legal violation.
An activist noted, "Our study reveals that approximately 50 permissions have been granted by the gram panchayat after the area was notified as ESZ. Due to the complete dereliction of duty by the authorities concerned, the ESZ has failed to serve its intended purpose, and the ecological damage has extended into the sanctuary itself, adversely affecting wildlife and habitat integrity. Also, the discharge of sewage into the river system within the sanctuary has resulted in water contamination, making it foul-smelling and unfit for ecological use." The activist demanded action against the district authorities, foresters, and panchayat officials responsible for the mess.
Official Response
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) stated that the Deputy Conservator of Forests of the Kudremukh Wildlife Division and Kundapur have been asked to verify and respond to the allegations.
