The major part of the area in Chitradurga district of Karnataka, which forms the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard, a bird nearing extinction, has been given to ISRO and Indian Institute of Science for building their facilities.
The area known as Amrit Mahal Kavals in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district constitutes a critical component of the habitat of the last few remaining prominent faunal species of grasslands ecosystems in India.
Appellants have alleged before the National Green Tribunal that, for seven projects, 9,273 acres of forest land has been diverted for non-forest purposes and allocated for various activities, as per confirmed figures. Besides, they said, 10,000 acres is being converted to station Indian Army, which is to be confirmed.
They had claimed such activities in Challakere Amrit Mahal Kavals are in violation of Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, according to which no state shall divert forest land for non-forest purposes without prior approval of the Central government.
It said the proposed investments will directly and irreversibly affect the impacted communities and biodiversity of the area, especially the pastoral communities, whose livelihoods are intricately linked to the preservation of these grasslands, it pointed out.
The RTI applicant had sought from Environment Ministry details of the ongoing projects in the region and whether the directives of NGT regarding conservation of the grasslands were being followed. The applicant also wanted to know whether any further land from the region was allocated despite NGT order, among others.