BANGALORE: Eco-tourism in Karnataka has touched a new peak over the past year and the State Government is reportedly thinking of imposing a cap on visitors to some of the national parks and game sanctuaries.

As it has turned out, the presence of brigand Veerappan in the forests had apparently prevented people from venturing into the forests over the past two decades. With his death, the number of visitors has doubled to 10 lakh a year compared with about five lakh three years ago.

With its vast forest cover encompassing five national parks and 21 sanctuaries, Karnataka (in particular the Nagarahole and Bandipur national parks) has turned out to be "must to visit" for wildlife enthusiasts.

The Forest Department has reportedly told the Government that the national parks and sanctuaries have now touched the optimum carrying capacity and hence the Government should now "apply the brakes." Further, it has also said that the Government should enhance the buffer zone by another 10 km around all the national parks and sanctuaries. A buffer zone is one where private commercial activity, including hotels, is strictly prohibited and the area is directly under the control of the Forest Department.

"Eco-terrorism"

Given the nature of tourist arrivals to forests, a top official of the department reportedly told the Government that if a quick decision was not taken, "eco-tourism will end up as eco-terrorism" what with even the movements of wildlife being restricted and motor vehicles causing pollution.

Nearly 10,000 motor vehicles make trips to the Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger sanctuaries annually. "As such wild animals, particularly the predators such as tigers and leopards are shy and with motor vehicles continuously plying in the forests, the animals have to hunt only by night. The problem becomes more acute during summer."

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