Rally in wildlife sanctuary kills deer, one held

A shocking news, people held a rally inside Wildlife sanctuary.

Rally in wildlife sanctuary kills deer, one held
Subhash Chandra N S, June 28, Bangalore:

The Forest Department and police have arrested an individual who illegally organised a motor rally through the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, leading to the death of a spotted deer.

Jayadas Menon, a 41-year-old resident of Bangalore who organised the rally was arrested and produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Kanakapura. He has been remanded to judicial custody.

A spotted deer stag was killed due to reckless driving by Khushwanth Randhawa, one of the rally participants on June 8, 2010 near Muthathi inside the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

The vehicle driven by Randhawa was seized by the Kanakapura Wildlife Division staff. However the accused fled to Patiala after killing the animal. A forest offence case (FOC 3/09-10) was booked against 10 persons including the driver and the organisers. All accused were absconding till date.

On the day of the accident, the rally organiser Menon had claimed that he had permission to organise the rally within the sanctuary. When the forest staff demanded the written copy of the permission, he not only failed to furnish it, but also fled the spot.

The rally was organised between Bangalore and Kochi. The first phase of it fell within the wildlife sanctuary.

Acting on a tip off, the Forest Department staff led by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Mr.Ravi Raj, Range Forest Officer (RFO) Kempe Gowda, Guards Manju and Chandru with assistance from Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) of Bangalore Squad Kumaraswamy, arrested Menon on Monday at his residence. He is now in judicial custody.

Menon has been booked under The Wild Life Protection Act 1972 Sections 9
(Prohibition of killing of wildlife) , Section 27 (Trespassing into wildlife sanctuary) and Section 51(Penalty clauses punishment which extends up to three years).
The case of roadkills is equivalent to poaching and is a non-bailable offence.

Pressure on officials
Sources in the Forest Department said that there is high level pressure to release the accused.
This incident brings to light the need for closing night time traffic in all key wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Karnataka.
Cauvery wildlife sanctuary is a dry habitat and one of the biggest one in the State. Bordering Tamil Nadu, the sanctuary is known for its high density of four horned antelopes. It also hosts huge stretch of river Cauvery, which has a sizeable population of otters and masheers (protected fish).

DH News Service

Link - http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...ills-deer.html

I am surprised how the people entered into the sanctuary without permission. And after this killing happened, how the organiser (Menon) and the driver who killed the deer managed to flee from the spot needs to be explained.

For the ignorant, there should be notice boards before the entry detailing the punishments for rallying inside the sanctuary, killing wildlife etc.

Greetings,

Just to inform that there is another rally planned near/ in Bannerghatta on April 8, 2012 as mentioned in one of the Indian vehicle forum.

"OFF ROAD ADVENTURE: 'RAID-DE-BANNERGHATTA'

An off road adventure amidst the Tiger country that will push your adrenaline to the limits filled with excitement and thrill happening at Bannerghatta
on Sunday 8th of April 2012.

This is One of the best tracks in Bangalore 100% natural amidst the Bannerghatta forests."

In response to the query raised by some of the folks on the legality of the same and permission from the Forest Dept, the 'organiser/s' have this to say..

" Much before the Nation park was announced, a village existed which is originally 'Bannerghatta', then a part of the forest that prevails was declared a 'Reserve Forest', then converted in to a 'ZOO' and then again classified as a 'National park' / 'Reserve Forest' by the government and please note only the forest range is covered in it and not all the people, village and their lands fall in to the Category!!"

Is there any way to confirm on whether this rally has the necessary approvals?

Rgds

Manoj,
I am not aware of it. If it is in Bannerghatta, then they need permissions.

Their intent of violating rules is evident when they say: "Much before the Nation park was announced, a village existed which is originally 'Bannerghatta', then a part of the forest that prevails was declared a 'Reserve Forest', then converted in to a 'ZOO' and then again classified as a 'National park' / 'Reserve Forest' by the government and please note only the forest range is covered in it and not all the people, village and their lands fall in to the Category!!"

This information will be sent to the appropriate forest department authorities.

Sabyasachi

Thank you. I will revert if I have any further information.

With regards