Former foresters for protection of national parks

RETIRED forest officials and experts submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also chairperson of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board, demanding compliance of the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court judgments on the protection of national parks (NPs) and sanctuaries, and not providing facilities to tribals residing inside forest areas.

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In the memorandum, a copy of which is with The New Indian Express, they expressed their anguish against the CM's November 26, 2024, directions to Forest, Revenue and RDPR departments to provide developmental facilities (roads, power lines etc) to tribals residing inside NPs and sanctuaries. They said, "It would be just and prudent to launch a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to ensure a socially just voluntary resettlement of people from NPs, wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves is provided... As the Board's chairperson, you would be aware that Section 29 and 35(6) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA) mandates there shall be no destruction of wildlife in a sanctuary or NP unless it is