Bannerghatta National Park, a major sanctuary located near Bangalore, Karnataka, is at the center of an environmental controversy. The Expert Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) on the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) has proposed a reduction of nearly 100 sq. km in the park’s ESZ. While this decision has raised alarm among conservationists, understanding its ramifications requires looking into the specific nature and function of the ESZ.
The ESZ Concept and The Proposed Reduction
The ESZ provides a critical buffer zone around protected areas. This regulated space is vital in preventing direct human impact on these ecologically fragile regions. The MOEF committee’s recommendation to shrink the ESZ of Bannerghatta National Park by about 100 sq. km has sparked fears of increased quarrying activities. These concerns stem from the fact that once out of the ESZ, the area can be opened up for ‘development’ activities which can affect the biodiversity of the park.
Legal Safeguard: Supreme Court Ruling
Despite the fears regarding increased quarrying in the wake of ESZ reduction, there exists a layer of legal protection. A Supreme Court ruling expressly prohibits quarrying and mining activities within a one-kilometer radius of protected areas, irrespective of the ESZ boundaries. This ‘safe zone’ law applies nationwide, preventing damage to protected areas even in cases of ESZ reduction.
About Bannerghatta National Park
Located in proximity to the bustling city of Bangalore, Karnataka, Bannerghatta National Park is home to diverse wildlife including elephants, leopard, jackal, fox, wild boar, sloth bear, Sambar, Chital, spotted deer, barking deer, common langur, bonnet macaque, porcupine, and hares. An integral part of this park is the Bannerghatta Biological Park, which was established in 2002. The Biological Park has unique features like a zoo, a safari, a butterfly park, and a rescue center for captive animals.
| Wildlife in Bannerghatta National Park |
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| Elephants |
| Gaur |
| Leopards |
| Jackals |
| Foxes |
| Wild Boars |
West Nile Virus: A Unique Threat
In a different realm of concern for Bannerghatta National Park, the Union health ministry recently dispatched a disease surveillance team to Kerala to investigate an instance of West Nile fever. The West Nile virus, predominantly transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, can cause fatal neurological diseases. Although 80% of infected people exhibit no symptoms, the virus can still result in severe disease or death in horses. Currently, vaccinations are available for horses but not for humans. Birds are the natural hosts of this virus, spreading it to mosquitoes when they feed on infected birds. This pathogen was first isolated in 1937 from a patient in the West Nile district of Northern Uganda, though cases have appeared sporadically in India since 1977. With an outbreak in Kerala as recently as May 2011, its presence remains an ongoing concern for areas rich in biodiversity, such as Bannerghatta National Park.