Bengaluru: The 8th meeting of the Standing Committee of the State Board for Wildlife was held on October 5, 2026, under the chairmanship of Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy, with the committee reviewing several proposals concerning protected areas, eco-sensitive zones and tiger reserves.
The committee rejected a proposal for quarrying building stone in the eco-sensitive zone of Kappathagudda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gadag.
A proposal to establish an eco-tourism resort on private land within the buffer zone of Bhadra Tiger Reserve was deferred. The committee sought details on the number of resorts, homestays and other commercial activities in the eco-sensitive and buffer zones of tiger reserves and other protected areas.
The minister directed officials to take immediate action against illegally established resorts and homestays and prevent further unauthorised activities. He also called for disturbances in eco-sensitive zones to be minimised, with such areas proposed to be declared silent zones. The committee directed that preparation of Zonal Master Plans be taken up immediately and that public awareness programmes be conducted on permitted and prohibited activities in eco-sensitive zones.
Proposals concerning electrification of remote habitations in Belthangady taluk, BSNL saturation towers and OFC cable laying in Sharavathi LTM Sanctuary, and construction of a small connecting bridge were approved for recommendation to the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife.
The committee also decided to submit a proposal to the National Board for Wildlife to rationalise the boundary of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary. It noted that the sanctuary was notified in 1974 with an area of 395.608 sq km, while the revised proposal seeks a boundary covering 397.96 sq km comprising 41 blocks of notified forest areas.
On the re-notification of the eco-sensitive zone of Bannerghatta National Park, the committee decided to convey to the Centre that the existing arrangement may continue without modification, noting that elephant corridors are already part of the ESZ.
It also decided to review existing buffer-zone notifications of tiger reserves through a technical committee to determine whether rationalisation was required.
Tiger foundations review annual plans
The 18th Annual Governing Body Meeting of the Tiger Foundation and the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Kodagu Man-Animal Conflict Mitigation Foundation were also held under Reddy’s chairmanship on October 5.
The governing bodies reviewed and approved annual reports, audit reports and physical and financial progress reports for 2025-26, along with Annual Plans of Operation for 2026-27.
Reddy directed that foundation funds be prioritised for eco-development activities in fringe villages and tribal hamlets, with emphasis on education, healthcare, scholarships and livelihood generation.
He also directed that welfare measures for frontline forest staff, including staff-quarter repairs, anti-poaching camps, health insurance and children’s education, receive priority.
Funds should also be used for protection equipment such as body cameras, camera traps, smart sticks, protective gear and firefighting equipment, besides vehicle purchase and repairs.
Reddy further directed that forest areas, particularly ecotourism zones, be made completely plastic-free and called for an immediate ban on plastic use in these areas.
He also instructed officials to engage qualified veterinarians on contract to fill vacancies in the Forest Department and Zoo Authority, stressing the need for adequate wildlife veterinary support.