First documentation of 46 wildlife corridors of Karnataka launched

The Last Pathways: Wildlife Corridors of Karnataka, a first-of-its-kind book that identifies and documents 46 wildlife corridors in Karnataka, was launched today in Bengaluru.

The event also witnessed Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) officials announcing that two wildlife corridors close to Bengaluru will be taken care of by them.

First documentation

The first such State-wide documentation, the book looks at corridors that support a wide array of large mammals and span across forests, scrub lands, plantations and human inhabited regions. 

Sanjay Gubbi, wildlife biologist and chief author of the book, noted that the book is a result of research that began around five years ago and took 222 person days of field work to be completed. 

Recollecting instances of coming across animals – large mammals including tigers and sloth bears, as well as smaller ones like hyenas – moving long distances across scattered patches of forests, he highlighted why wildlife corridors are critical to conservation.

Pragmatic solutions needed

Noting that such documentation will also help policy formulation, Mr. Gubbi added that it is also important to maintain a balance between development and conservation. 

“We need to look at pragmatic solutions than emotional outcries,” he said, during the launch of the book. 

Wildlife corridor policy in advanced stage

P. Manivannan, Commissioner of BDA, who was present at the event, conveyed on behalf of BDA chairman N.A. Harris that the department will take care of the wildlife corridors near Bannerghatta National Park and Kanakapura. 

Biswajit Mishra, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), said that discussions on the Karnataka’s Draft Wildlife Corridor Improvement Policy are in advanced stages and added that the inputs from the books could be used while making policy decisions.