GKVK road would affect bio-diversity'

GKVK road would affect bio-diversity'

Express News ServiceFirst Published : 13 Apr 2010 05:06:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 13 Apr 2010 08:32:53 AM IST
BANGALORE: A link road connecting Yeshwantpur and Yelahanka and passing through the GKVK campus is essential to deal with traffic congestion, but the long-term vehicular movements could affect the biodiversity in the campus, an expert committee said in its report submitted to the Karnataka High Court on Monday.
Loss of buffer from heavy traffic routes will affect sensitive research beds and the pollution caused by the link road can have an adverse impact on the Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra’s (GKVK) research activities, the report stated.
The Board of Regents of the University of Agricultural Science of GKVK had not adequately consulted the scientists, faculty and students whose research and extension programmes would be directly affected by the road, the overall summary of the report said.
The expert committee was headed by P K Shetty, Professor and Dean of the National Institute of Advanced Studies.
While the exact impact of the road on biodiversity and research activities would be known only after detailed study, the long-term effects of heavy traffic are bound to be adverse and, quite likely, irreversible, the report said.
Pollination by bees, butterflies and birds would be affected, as the proposed road passes close to the area in which research and propagation of medicinal plants are being carried out.
The committee report also said that there is a need to explore connecting roads between Tumkur road and Mysore road as well as the routes heading to BIAL by passing Yelahanka.
The counsel for BBMP submitted that the link road has been already completed and it is being used by the public.
The division bench headed by Justice Manjula Chellur adjourned the hearing to the second week of June.