Karnataka Proves Growth & Sustainability Can Coexist: Ramesh

The Karnataka state government’s decision to put 5,678 acres of land in Yelahanka high as the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve speaks volumes about how the Chief Minister-led government is effectively balancing economic growth with social and environmental responsibilities, said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

Different Congress leaders had earlier targeted the Karnataka government for attracting new investments and implementing the infamous income support scheme, food security and other guarantees which they claim is new age populism.

The post was shared by Mr. Ramesh yesterday on X. We will be trying to keep track of all such posts shared by Mr. Ramesh and other leaders and whether they indeed walk the talk.

Mr. Ramesh focused on setting the arrangement under the other piece of wild life legislation and stated, “implementing the 1972 Wild Life (Protection) Act” is a step forward towards granting the needed protection to the wildlife that is slowly being destroyed. 

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According to Ramesh, this grassland reserve is important and, as a large catchment area, will significantly assist in groundwater recharge for farmers in nearby villages. 

He added that this will supplement the water supply to the city of Bengaluru. 

Ramesh mentioned, “It will serve as a natural carbon sink which will reduce the impacts of climate change on towns and cities. It conserves a biodiversity hotspot containing fauna and flora, ranging from animals and insects to plants and trees, most of which are endangered.” 

According to him, this will be a haven for migratory birds from the Arctic Circle, Central Asia, the Himalayan region, and Europe. 

“The Karnataka government is showing how economic advancement, social progress, and ecological balance can be achieved simultaneously, which they need to do all the time. Other states should learn from this, \" the Congress general secretary observed. 

As per a notification on February 24, the Karnataka government considers it necessary to designate the region as the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve because of its ecological, faunal, floral and geomorphological importance. 

The government released this gazette in order to conserve the grassland and its wildlife, and to protect the vital water catchment area which is around Hesaraghatta. This is one of the water source zones for Bengaluru.

It made clear that the conservation reserve will not cover any 'patta land' nor infringe on any existing rights. 

The notification, as stated, will not impact the rights of villagers living in the vicinity, it stated.