2 days ago
Renovated information centre opened at Chamundi Vana
Mysuru: The renovated Environmental Information Centre at Chamundi Vana was inaugurated by district minister HC Mahadevappa on Wednesday.
On the occasion, a sapling planting programme was organised as part of the
celebrations.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The information centre has been developed to raise awareness about forestry, environment, and wildlife conservation, incorporating various schemes and programmes of the forest department, such as agroforestry promotion, distribution of saplings at subsidised rates, human-wildlife conflict management, sandalwood cultivation, and providing cooking gas connections to reduce forest pressure. It also includes information about forest martyrs, e-services, and e-initiatives.
A proposal of Rs 100 lakh has been submitted to develop Chamundi Vana as a model park, enhancing it into a prime tourist destination for the millions of devotees visiting Chamundi Hills temple to enjoy its natural beauty. In the current financial year, other works like a children's park, Pavithra Vana, Nakshatra Vana, Rashi Vana, and pergola will be undertaken.
MLA GT Devegowda, Nagamma, president, Chamundi Hill gram panchayat; M Malathipriya, conservation officer, Mysuru Circle, and Basavaraj KN, deputy forest conservation officer, Mysuru Territorial Division, were present.
Chamundi Vana is being taken care of by Mysuru Forest Division's Urban Greening Zone.
The information centre was started in 2003, but due to legal hurdles, it was temporarily shut in 2011. Then the forest department appealed in the high court in 2011, and the state archives provided documentation of govt orders in the 1940s for 2 acres and 28 guntas, and in 1947, for 18 acres, totalling 20 acres acquired by the forest department. In 2024, these records were submitted to the high court, which ruled in favour of the forest department in July 2024, stating that "Once a forest, always a forest.
" Now, the department has started a renovated information centre.
