Hubballi: Two weeks have passed after the state government declared the picturesque Kappatta Hills in Gadag district as a conservation reserve but poaching of animals continues in the area unhindered.
Environmentalists claim that the poachers plant explosive material in food to lure animals and make them consume the meat which kills them. This is also posing a threat to the life of cattle that graze around the hills. Several cattle have been injured when they eat this ‘food’ leaving villagers in the surrounding area enraged.
The government's move to declare Kappatta hills a conservative reserve has brought cheer to environmentalists, who have been struggling to protect the unique eco-system of North Karnataka region.
But, many of them feel that the decision will serve its purpose only if projects are implemented in the region to protect flora and fauna.
They also claim that this will help protect Ayurvedic and medicinal plants. Therefore, they are raising the pitch for setting up of an Aurvedic University to conduct research activity in the hills.
More than 120 species of medicinal plants found in the region, have vanished over the years due to unscrupulous mining activity, resulting in dwindling forest cover. Therefore, the forest, ecology and environment department has declared the area as a conservation reserve which is spread in 17,872 hectares of land in the hills in Gadag, Mundaragi and Shirahatti taluks.
“Several endangered species such as black-bucks, wild boars and peacocks are falling prey to poachers in Kappatta Hills. This can be prevented by constructing ponds and check-dams for the animals that will face a severe drinking water problem during summer. Though the declaration of the hillock as a conservation reserve has brought some relief, the focus should be on converting the region into a tourist destination by setting up an Ayurveda University and implementing water harvesting schemes,” said Kappattagudda Parisara Vedike president C.S. Arasanal.
The medicinal plants in the hills are also falling prey to a superstition where the forest is burnt to appease the rain god.
Range forest officer M.S. Nyamati said that the department will step up patrolling in the hillock and action would be initiated against the poachers soon.
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