BENGALURU: After a Deccan Chronicle report on the state forest department's recommendation to the additional chief secretary, forest, environment and ecology department to cut the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Bannerghatta National Park, Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan tweeted that he will not let the environmentally disastrous decision to go through.
Despite the Union Environment ministry's order to the state government that the original ESZ of 268 sqkm should be retained, the chief wildlife warden last month proposed that it should be reduced to 168.84 sqkm.
It is alleged that farmers around the national park have been lured by real estate giants and land mafia to give up their claims on lands in lieu of money and jobs.
"The farmers have been told by the mafia that the ESZ would be bad for them. This is a plan hatched by realtors and politicians," said Srinivas, a farmer staying in the area.
Even before the ESZ was finalised, a bottling factory and a resort have come up and roads have been widened in the area over the last one year.
