Ban on night traffic through Bandipur park to remain

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Forest Department, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts won a decisive round of battle before the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday when Keralas plea for lifting the ban on night traffic through the Bandipur National Park in Chamarajanagar district was rejected.

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice V. Gopala Gowda and Justice B.S. Patil passed the order on a petition by the Kerala Government filed on August 14, 2009, and F.R. Fravesh and others seeking to lift the ban on night traffic on Muthanga-Gundlupet road.

While one of the roads passing through the park, National Highway 212 is from Mysore to Kalpetta via Sultan Bathery, the other, National Highway 67, is from Mysore to Gundlupet. With both roads being closed at night (from 9 p.m., to 6 a.m.), transporters had to choose alternative roads, Kerala said in its arguments.

Kerala cited the problems being faced by people living in and around Wayanad. The application, filed by advocate Suman, said Wayanad got its daily supply of vegetables from Gundlupet and adjoining areas in Karnataka. It said vegetables were generally transported at night. The ban had affected the supply of vegetables. It said people were now forced to take a longer route to reach their destinations. It urged the court to vacate the interim order granted by it on August 5, 2009, banning movement of vehicles through the park at night.