Bhimgad eco-zone measures boost Mhadei water flow

Keri: Recent measures by Karnataka govt to regulate development within the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, along with the Centre’s notification of a 308.2sqkm eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary, are helping maintain a substantial flow of water in the Mhadei river towards Goa.

In a recent release, district deputy commissioner Mohammed Roshan said special permission will be mandatory for any work, commercial activity, or construction project in the villages of Chikhale, Gavase, Chapoli, Aamgao, Gavali, Pastoli, Kabnali, Kongala, Nerse and Shiroli.

Twenty-five families from Talewadi within the Bhimgad Sanctuary have already relocated from forest areas, while another 20 families have agreed to relocate.

In Dec 2011, Karnataka notified 190sqkm of ecologically rich forest, contiguous with the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Sattari, as the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. The forest, globally known for its natural limestone caves that serve as breeding sites for the endangered Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, is also a vital tiger corridor in the Western Ghats.

After completing major work on the diversion of the Kalasa nullah at Kankumbi, Karnataka has decided to undertake the diversion of the Bhandura nullah at Nerse. However, the National Board for Wildlife has deferred a decision on granting approval to the Kalasa-Bhandura project.

The regional empowered committee of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, Bengaluru, has also told Karnataka that it must submit a biodiversity conservation plan for the area where it has proposed diverting 28ha of forest land for the Bhandura nullah diversion scheme.

The Bhandura, Singur, Pat, Tirthachi Nhai, Kotni and Pansheera nullahs, along with other perennial water sources, join the Mhadei river and help sustain its substantial flow.