Conservation ConversationsEnvironment

HESSARGHATTA GRASSLANDS – HIGH COURT EXTENDS INTERIM ORDER FOR 6 MORE WEEKS – SO, NO CHANGE IN ITS NATURE

By Green Minute News

The Karnataka High Court has extended its interim order for six more weeks which restrains the state government from altering the nature of the Hessarghatta Grasslands in any manner. Further, the court has granted 6 weeks-time to the state government for filing its objections. 

Speaking to Green Minute, Nikhil, advocate for the petitioner said, “The court has given more time to the state government to file their objections to our petition while they cannot alter the nature of the grasslands as the interim order has got a 6-week extension. Earlier, on 27th May, the Court had directed the state government – not to alter the nature of the Hessarghatta grasslands. It had also observed that the Board meeting was not held as per law. 

The High Court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Vijay Nishanth, Biodiversity Board member and urban conservationist. The petition had challenged the Karnataka State Wildlife Board’s decision to reject the formation of the Great Hessarghatta Grasslands Conservation Reserve despite majority of the board members in favour of it. 

It was Yelahanka MLA, S R Vishwanath, invitee to the meeting who vociferously opposed the formation of the 5000-acre Greater Hessarghatta Conservation Reserve and so, the chief minister had rejected the proposal in the wildlife board meeting held on January 19, this year.