The Karnataka High Court has quashed the decision dated 19.01.2021 taken by Karnataka State Board for Wildlife whereby the Board rejected the proposal of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Bangalore Region to declare Hesaraghatta grasslands as Conservation Reserve under Section 36A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty disposed of two PILs which further sought direction to the Board to reconvene a meeting to reconsider the proposal to declare Hesaraghatta grasslands as Conservation Reserve under Section 36A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Brief facts are that Hesaraghatta region situated in Bangalore is of ecological significance and requires protection. The region forms a unique ecosystem and supports numerous species of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered.
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Bangalore Region filed a detailed report with the Board to consider and declare Hesaraghatta Grasslands as Greater Hesaraghatta Grasslands Conserve Reserve, as provided under Section 36A of the Act. Thereafter, the Chief Conservator of Forests in his proposal stated that Hesaraghatta Grasslands comprising 5010 acres is the only remaining grassland region in Bangalore and is home to several endangered species of wildlife. The Board convened its 15th meeting on 19.01.2021 which was presided over by the Chairman of the Board. S.R. Vishwanath, Member of Legislative Assembly of Yelahanka Constituency, was also invited to the meeting as a special invitee. The said proposal was rejected by the Board by an order dated 19.01.2021.
Counsels for the petitioners submitted that the proposal has been rejected by the Board in an arbitrary manner without considering the reports of several government and non-governmental organizations.
It is further submitted that the Board has neither furnished any explanation nor has assigned any detailed reasons for rejecting the recommendation made by Chief Conservator of Forests.
On the other hand, the Additional Advocate General submitted that the views expressed by S.R. Vishwanath in the meeting of the Board has been expressed in his capacity as representative of the public in general.
The Court has considered the submissions made on both sides and have perused the records. Section 36A of the Act deals with power of the State Government for declaration and management of conservation reserves. Section 36A(1) of the Act reads as under:
“36A. Declaration and management of a conservation reserve.—(1) The State Government may, after having consultations with the local communities, declare any area owned by the Government, particularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries and those areas which link one protected area with another, as a conservation reserve for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitat:
Provided that where the conservation reserve includes any land owned by the Central Government, its prior concurrence shall be obtained before making such declaration.”
Thus, the power under Section 36A(1) for declaration and management of a conservation reserve has to be exercised for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitat , observed the Bench.
In the instant case, the relevant extract of the order dated 19.01.2021 reads as under:
“AGENDA – 19:
Proposal for declaring Hesaraghatta Grassland area as GREATER HESARGHATTA GRASSLAND PROTECTION RESERVED AREA”.
The Member Secretary of the Board, proposed about the said proposal that, Hesarghatta lake and surrounding area covered with various type of plants and animal-birds. This area situate in the edge of Bangalore limits and it is a well feeding grass land. The said area given shelter to various type of plants, animals, birds, insects and it has become shelter to various type of biomass. During cold season birds will come on migration from Himalaya and middle asia for progenitors to this area. In this place for arrangement of grassland environment in support of which there are 40 local natural plants, 133 types of birds also Cheetah appears now and then. Apart from that the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department given its consent to declare the said area as “Protected Area”. Therefore it is just and proper that, the total 5010 acres of area may be declared as “GREATER HESARGHATTA GRASSLAND PROTECTION RESERVED AREA”, which he explained.
Sri R.Vishwanath spoke that, the proposed grassland area comes under the limits of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, Irrigation Department, Government Labs, Bangalore Water Supply Corporation and other Government Departments.
Sri Siddarth Goyanka spoke that, the entire grassland of this area and lake areas wherein the biomass which appears in the interest of safeguard the same he opined to consider the said proposal, for which Dr. Shivaprakash given consent.
Sri R.Vishwanath spoke, during last year for road development/and formation electric line at that time the forest department caused obstruction. On account of which it was caused direct and indirect inconvenience to the general public of surrounding village. The programs sponsored by the Government and under which for few developmental activities to reserve the government it will become paucity of land, hence by considering the aforesaid points he requested to drop the said proposal.
By considering the foresaid points the Hon’ble Chief Minister after due verification, the proposal of declaring “GREATER HESARGHATTA GRASSLAND PROTECTION RESERVED AREA”, decided to drop the same.
The Board Member Sri Siddarth Goyanka in connection with the said agenda the decision taken by the Board to which he shown his unwillingness through letter (copy enclosed).”
Thus, from perusal of the aforesaid relevant extract of the order, the Bench opined that the Board has passed the order in a cryptic and cavalier manner without adverting to the relevant criteria as prescribed in Section 36A of the Act. The impugned order reflects non application of mind.
“Therefore, since it being cryptic and since it suffers from the vice of non- application of mind, the same cannot be sustained in the eye of law. It is accordingly quashed. The matter is remitted to the Board to take a decision afresh on the proposal submitted by Chief Conservator of Forests for declaring Hesaraghatta Grassland as Conservation Reserve,” the order reads.