Bamboo groves under threat

Bamboo groves under threat
State forest dept takes BDA to task
The Times of India

Bangalore: Call it the battle of the greens. Conservationists and the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) have turned their ire against the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for destroying a part of a biodiversity-rich bamboo grove at Survey No 22/23 at Ullal Village. In fact, the KFD has filed a Forest Offence Case (167/06/07) on Tuesday against BDA for transgressing the Karnataka Preservation Act, 1976.
The Times of India had on October 7 reported “BDA mows down 25 rare bamboo species”, highlighting the destruction caused by the authorities at a private grove which initially had a collection of over 100 bamboo species.
BDA has been charged with violating the Act and destroying an exotic research plantation. The FOC was filed by forester Hanumaiah, a copy of which has been sent to the jurisdictional court magistrate and tree officer Annaiah.
Deputy conservator of forests (Urban) Annaiah said: “Reacting to a news report in TOI, our staff surveyed the damage done by BDA. Based on the majhar, the forester, under whose purview this survey no falls, a case was filed.”
“It has been noticed that they have removed some rare species of bamboo and cane. Be it an individual or institution, nobody can take law into their own hands. Permission has to be sought from the tree officer, under Preservation of Trees Act (section 8), to cut a tree,” emphasised Annaiah.
According to KFD sources, the Lok Ayukta has taken up a suo-motu case and has started a probe into the issue. “What the BDA has done is unpardonable. Now that the department and Lok Ayukta are taking up the issue, it shows that BDA, which has been bulldozing lakes and forest reserves, has over stepped its authority,” said an Indian Forest Service Association officer.
The BDA said it would react only after receiving a copy of the FOC.
Interestingly, a sapling of Guadua Angustaifolia, regarded as the number one bamboo species, will be planted at the High Court on November 1 as part of the Suvarna Karnataka celebration.