A presentation was made to the Forest Minister Shri Ishwar Khandre and Honourable District Minister Shri Satish Jarkiholi at Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary by Captain Nitin Dhond, representing the people who were instrumental in the formation of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. Also present were Senior Forest Officials, District administrative officials and the peoples representative from the region.
The group present had extensively carried out fieldwork, data collection, research, and had submitted reports to the Government with repeated follow up for 15 years (1997 to 2011) to get this forest declared as a Wildlife sanctuary.
The objective of forming the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary was to create Environmental Security and Water Security for Northern Karnataka region, Khanapur and Belagavi areas. It is also Water Security for Hubli Dharwad region because Bhimgad is responsible for causing rains in Khanapur forests. 80% of the water which collects in Navaltirth is because of these rains. Damage to Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary will reduce the rain in Khanapur which will ultimately result in reduction in water at Navaltirth Dam.
Captain Dhond also stressed that diversion of River Mahadayi by Kalsa Bhandara Dam from this wildlife sanctuary will have a devastating effect on the rainfall in Khanapur and cause rapid desertification of North Karnataka.
Also present during submission of this letter were Nyla Coelho, Sujit Mulgund, Rajiv Toppanavar & Geeta Sahu. The memorandum with backup research were handed over to the Hon Ministers.