The Karnataka High Court has sought the state government’s response to a PIL challenging the “indiscriminate” road widening being carried on at Mullayyanagiri Hill in Chikkamagaluru district.
The Hill is home to various rare species of flora and fauna and falls within the eco-sensitive zone of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari was hearing a PIL filed by the Bhadra Wildlife Trust and Wildlife Conservation Action Team. The petitioner has also sought for for directions to declare Mullayangiri Hills as a conservation reserve under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The petitioner has alleged that the Public Works Department (Chikkamagaluru Division) has, without any approvals or environment impact assessment, commenced road widening on an existing road in the Mullayanagiri Hills.