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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Plaster of Paris idol sales continue across Karnataka as ban enforcement falters
BENGALURU: With less than a month to go for the Ganesha festival, state government agencies, particularly the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), are yet to crackdown on Plaster of Paris (PoP) and heavy lead paint idols manufactured and sold across the state. So far, raids have been conducted only in two places -- Bengaluru's Dasarahalli zone and Hubballi where 1,000 and 180 idols, respectively, were seized. 'It has been a year since the government issued orders banning PoP idols. From the last last festive season till now, all the idols that were stored should have been seized and scientifically destroyed. Now, when the festival is just a month away, insignificant checks have started,' said an environment expert working with the KSPCB. On Thursday, Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre had reiterated the state government's 2023 ban and directed officials to take stock of the clay and P0P idols and strictly enforce the ban. Sellers, however, pointed out that they have old stocks which they have invested upon and need to be cleared. 'These idols were made during the previous years and I have paid for each of them. They are to be used in community/public spaces. The government should give us at least one-year time to ensure that they are disposed. Nobody wants second-hand idols for festivities, which the government has been promoting,' said Mallappa, a trader on Mysuru Road. BBMP's construction and debris waste management officials said there are incinerator plants to scientifically dispose PoP idols, but no idols come to them due to religious sentiments. The KSPCB banned the use of PoP idols in 2016. The National Green Tribunal issued orders banning sale, manufacture and usage of PoP idols in 2023 and the Karnataka government issued orders banning them in August 2024. The chief secretary also issued orders for the formation of committees under the district administrations to ensure sale, manufacture and usage of eco-friendly idols and green crackers. KSPCB senior environmental officer G Yateesh said, 'The board has written to the district administrations to seize all those manufacturing and selling PoP idols. But the police and district administration is not cooperating. People should also understand and stop purchasing. We are aware of the idols and seizures are being done. People must also come forward and give details of where they see such idols.' How to identify PoP, lead paint idols Lift the idol; if it is solid inside and hard then it is PoP Idols made with eco-friendly items like clay, gunny sacks and hay stacks are light and not hard Eco-friendly paints are not bright, shiny and glossy
Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Khandre orders crackdown on POP idol sales
Bengaluru: Karnataka Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre has directed officials to curb the storage, transportation, and sale of Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesha and Gauri idols, encouraging instead the promotion of eco-friendly clay idols without chemical paints ahead of the upcoming festive season. Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Minister Khandre emphasized the environmental hazards posed by POP idols. He stated that POP idols are made using calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder, which contains harmful elements such as sulfur, dyes, gypsum, magnesium, and are coated with toxic paints that include mercury, cadmium, lead, and carbon. When these idols are immersed in water bodies like lakes, ponds, or rivers, they release heavy metals that contaminate the water, affecting human and animal health and causing the death of aquatic life. To prevent such environmental damage, the Environment Department has been instructed to launch public awareness campaigns. The minister recalled that in previous years, circulars were issued against the manufacture and sale of POP idols, but since taking office in 2023, he has formalised the prohibition through a government order. Local municipal bodies have been directed to strictly enforce this ban. With just a month left for the Gauri-Ganesha festival, Minister Khandre has asked authorities to begin immediate action to prevent the transport and storage of POP idols. Furthermore, resident welfare associations in high-rise buildings, housing complexes, and residential layouts have been urged to inform their members to use only eco-friendly idols for worship. Khandre reiterated that community leaders should take responsibility for spreading the message of sustainability and ensure a greener celebration of the festival.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Minister clarifies on banning cattle grazing in forests
Bengaluru: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre clarified that there is no blanket ban on cattle grazing in Karnataka's forests. The state government will allow local tribal and forest-dwelling communities to graze their livestock under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, while cattle brought in from neighboring states in large numbers will be restricted. In a statement to the media, Khandre said that under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, no individual is allowed to enter reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries, or tiger reserves for grazing domestic animals. However, grazing by locals has been a traditional practice in some forest-edge communities. The government plans to phase out such practices by encouraging locals to rear high-yield dairy cattle and grow green fodder on their allotted lands instead. As per data from the Animal Husbandry Department, the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary alone currently houses around 33,000 cattle, many of which have been brought from outside the state. Such large-scale grazing in protected forest areas is creating resource shortages for wild animals like elephants, gaurs, deer, antelope, and others. It is also leading to the spread of contagious diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, anthrax, and more—posing a serious threat to native wildlife. Khandre stated that this rising pressure on forests prompted the government to act in accordance with wildlife protection laws. However, exemptions will be made for local residents who hold grazing rights under the Forest Rights Act. He cited that in Chamarajanagar, the Forest Department, using CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds, has already supported 10–15 farmers by providing high-yield hybrid cows. The plan is to introduce alternative livelihood solutions to communities that currently depend on open forest grazing for survival, thereby reducing their dependency gradually. Khandre also referenced a recent Madras High Court ruling that prohibits cattle grazing in Tamil Nadu's forests. Following that verdict, a surge in cattle inflow from neighboring states into Karnataka's forests has been observed. This has not only depleted forest grasslands and affected vegetation but also led to increased human-wildlife conflict and incidents of wildlife poisoning. To prevent further ecological damage, the state government has instructed officials to take action within the legal framework while ensuring that the rights of forest dwellers are protected.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Karnataka forest department to address cattle grazing in MM Hills with CSR funds
BENGALURU: To address the issue of cattle grazing inside forests, particularly in Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the Karnataka Forest Department is taking the CSR fund route to empower farmers. As a pilot project, 10 families residing around MM Hills have been selected, and given hybrid cattle breeds like Jersey and Holstein Friesian for dairy activities. They have also been made to sign an undertaking that they will not take their cattle for grazing inside forests, and if found doing so, action will be initiated against them under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Forest Act. The families selected worked as labourers for Tamil Nadu cattle owners, who would take cattle for grazing inside the forest, said former deputy conservator of forests, MM Hills, G Santosh Kumar, who was posted in MM Hills when the project started. The pilot project has been a success so far. Other farmers are also showing interest, after seeing the chosen families earn around Rs 600 daily by selling milk and fodder. 'We are also working to stop the entire chain of breeding and rearing cattle in and around Karnataka forests and selling them at Erode cattle fair in Tamil Nadu and to Kerala's beef market. We are also working with farmer associations to adopt this proposal, where fodder is also being provided under the CSR initiative. Talks are under way with many other corporate firms to divert CSR funds to MM Hills,' a forest official said. The issue of cattle grazing inside MM Hills became a matter of concern after the recent death of a tigress and her four cubs due to poisoning. While the pilot was being done on the ground for a while, it was formally announced on July 16. It has been initiated at a time when the directives of Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre to clear all cattle pens from inside the forest are yet to be fully implemented on the ground. Deputy Conservator of Forests, MM Hills, B Bhaskar said talks are on with various milk unions in Karnataka to create a milk route to help these farmers. The recent veterinary department survey showed that there are over 30,000 cattle and close to 1,500 families that work as labourers to Tamil Nadu cattle owners in and around MM Hills in Hannur taluk.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
IISc, Karnataka forest department sign MoU to mitigate man-elephant conflict
BENGALURU: Karnataka forest department on July 15 signed a MoU to undertake landscape-level conservation of Asian elephants to mitigate man-elephant conflict in Karnataka, especially in Mysore Elephant Reserve and the surrounding areas. It is the largest elephant reserve in the country. The aim of the five-year project titled -- Landscape-Level Management of the Asian Elephant in the Mysore Elephant Reserve is to create a scientific foundation to mitigate man-elephant conflict and ensure long-term conservation of Asian elephants across Karnataka's ecologically sensitive and conflict-prone regions. Speaking at the sidelines of the signing of the MoU, forest, environment and ecology department minister Eshwar B Khandre said that multiple methods are being adopted, including barricades and fencing to mitigate conflicts. It has also increased due to increased urbanisation in forest fringes and around 150 elephants have made areas outside forests in Kodagu and Hassan their homes. Thus, as a part of the five-year study, IISc and elephant experts will assess use of various methods including technological interventions that can help mitigate conflict, he said. As per forest department data, Karnataka houses 6,395 wild elephants and is one of the most critical elephant ranges in Asia. The Mysore Elephant Reserve and the surrounding coffee-growing districts are increasingly witnessing conflict, resulting in loss of human lives, crop damage and retaliatory action against elephants. Fragmentation of habitats, changing land-use patterns, and increased proximity between humans and elephants have contributed to the crisis. The project will address six core objectives: Strengthening Habitat Connectivity by mapping elephant corridors, evaluating barriers and elephant movement using satellite telemetry, camera traps and GIS models Monitoring Demographic and Physiological Health by assessing population dynamics, body condition and stress indicators through non-invasive sampling Understanding Behaviour and Conflict Propensity by studying crop-raiding patterns, social learning and identifying high-conflict individuals through social network analysis Elephant Communication and Acoustic Monitoring by Cataloguing elephant vocalisations, particularly in conflict contexts, to develop sound-based deterrents and warning systems Predictive Modelling of Conflict Hotspots by integrating ecological and behavioural data to forecast future HEC zones under various land-use scenarios Developing a ten-year Strategic Management Plan by creating a Conflict Mitigation Toolbox (CMT) and Strategic Action Plan (SAP) that informs policy and practice. Noted elephant expert from IISc Raman Sukumar said, conflict has been increasing and there is a need for scientific understanding before taking action. The conflict cannot be completely eliminated, but can be reduced. Thus, this study, which will be done across all elephant ranges, will be beneficial.
