Date:24/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/24/stories/2006052406990300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Plea to declare Bhimgad forests as sanctuary

Staff Correspondent

Belgaum: Khanapur Taluk Panchayat has adopted a unanimous resolution urging the Government to declare the Bhimgad forests of Khanapur taluk having borders with Maharashtra and Goa as "Bhimgad Wildlife Santuary" at a meeting held here on Monday.

The resolution is apparently the culmination of an ongoing campaign to save the forests from falling into private hands of private. It has been backed by the people of the taluk and environmental organisations such as "Pariyavarini."

The "Save Bhimgad" campaign began soon after the local people learnt that a few Congress leaders from Gokak, Raibag and Belgaum had allegedly purchased more than 500 acres of land in a plot with survey number 78, adjacent to the historical Bhimgad Fort, in the first week of April.