The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Special treatment for ‘sacred groves’

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Friday, Jul 18, 2008
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Karnataka

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Special treatment for ‘sacred groves’

Raghava M.

Special task force to be set up for Western Ghats conservation
Focus on protecting the birthplace of major rivers

BANGALORE: In a step towards protecting the biodiversity of Western Ghats, which is facing threats from mining and irrigation projects, the State Government has proposed a “special task force” to conserve its flora and fauna.

In the State Budget, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has gone for conserving the biodiversity in “Devara Kadu” (sacred groves), rivers, tanks and hills and promoting eco tourism.

He has proposed a special scheme for the conservation of birthplace of rivers.

The Western Ghats has been in the news for the protests by environment groups, religious institutions and other organisations over threats to its biodiversity.

Prominent among them have been Gangadhara Sarasawati Swamiji of Swarnawalli Math and Ananth Hegde Ashishar, who are leading a campaign called Save Western Ghats Movement. They have been protesting against the mining, power generation and development works in the region.

“Western Ghats, the rivers flowing through it and the forests coming under it, need to be preserved in order to sustain our main rivers — the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Cauvery,” the Swamiji said.

As a part of this movement, they have been campaigning for the protection of “Devara Kadu” (sacred groves), which are found widely in the Western Ghats. While some of these groves are found in forests, some are on revenue lands. Another part of the movement is to protect the birthplace of rivers in Western Ghats. Welcoming the decision of the Government, Mr. Ashishar told The Hindu that this was a positive step towards protection of Western Ghats. He said that the report of the task force would help in formulating policies as against mining and development projects taken up in the area.

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