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Senior BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda alleged that the ruling Congress in Karnataka is considering lifting the ban on the Bandipur-Sulthan Bathery (Wayanad) road through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve to appease the Gandhis
The video shows the baby elephant running as the bikers — who had earlier been warned by a four-wheeler driver that the calf, separated from its mother, was wandering on the road — chased it. (Screenshot)
An “anxious, agitated” baby elephant being teased by a group of young men from Kerala has now become part of Karnataka’s political debate.
Former Union minister and senior BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda has sparked a controversy, alleging that the ruling Congress in Karnataka is considering lifting the night traffic ban on the Bandipur-Sulthan Bathery (Wayanad) road through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve to appease the Gandhis.
Tweeting a viral (undated) video of a distressed baby elephant being chased and teased by a group of bikers from Kerala passing through the Bandipur reserve, Gowda warned of increased man-animal conflict if the night ban is lifted. The video shows the baby elephant running as the bikers, who had earlier been warned by a four-wheeler driver that the calf, separated from its mother, was wandering on the road, chased it. The driver had cautioned them that if the mother elephant spotted them, they could face an attack.
Shocking behaviour by bikers disturbing a baby elephant on Bandipur road shows why protecting wildlife is crucial. Yet, @INCKarnataka govt plans to open this road at night, endangering animals further. Bandipur’s rich biodiversity deserves better care, not reckless policies. https://t.co/CtERBYXjJR— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) December 2, 2024
“Karnataka’s Congress chief DK Shivakumar has been promising the people of Wayanad that they will open the road between Karnataka and Wayanad to appease newly elected MP Priyanka Gandhi as well as Sonia and Rahul Gandhi,” Gowda told News18.
Gowda was referring to the speech made by Shivakumar in the run-up to the November 13 bypolls. He had promised Wayanad voters that his government would consider providing relief from the current nine-hour night traffic ban, while appealing for their support.
Senior Congressman and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge dismissed Gowda’s remarks as baseless and politically motivated.
“When it comes to wildlife, our government is well aware of the need to follow the forest department, court, and other ecological regulations. Even if there’s a reason to open the roads, it will be done through due legal process. It’s unfortunate that the former chief minister doesn’t understand the rules regarding wildlife corridors being opened to the public,” Kharge told News18.
He further questioned whether Gowda’s comments were an attempt to remain politically relevant.
“Is he trying to show Prime Minister Modi that he exists and is still politically significant?” Kharge asked.
The debate over night traffic on NH 67E (Karnataka-Tamil Nadu) and NH 212 (Karnataka-Kerala) has persisted for years. A decade ago, the Karnataka High Court upheld the night traffic ban, citing the need to protect wildlife in the Bandipur reserve.
Interestingly, this political controversy erupted the same day Wayanad’s newly elected MP Priyanka Gandhi made her first visit to her constituency. During her visit, she promised voters that she would address the night traffic ban issue, a key demand raised during her election campaign.
Wayanad’s Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady are connected to Karnataka via the Bandipur and Kakanakote forests, both of which prohibit night-time vehicular movement.
As Wayanad’s MP, Rahul Gandhi had previously advocated for his constituents, some of whom went on hunger strikes demanding the lifting of the night ban. Residents also marched from Sulthan Bathery to the Karnataka border, urging an immediate relaxation of the restrictions.
“The Congress is politicising this issue for political and electoral gain, but they should consider the larger interest of wildlife,” Gowda said.
“We should not allow motorists to ply through the forest reserve at night. The status quo must be maintained, and the ban must stay in place,” he asserted.
Gowda recalled that earlier chief ministers of Kerala and Karnataka had discussed this issue, with Kerala repeatedly pleading for the ban to be lifted. However, with the court order in place, no government had acted on it.
“When I was chief minister or when the Congress was in power earlier, this was never allowed. The decision was taken to safeguard wildlife and the ecosystem. Only now, because their (Congress) friends are representing Wayanad and the Karnataka Congress is led by someone close to the high command, they are making such promises for pure political advantage,” Gowda added.
While the Congress had assured voters during the Wayanad bypolls that discussions would take place after the elections, forest officials have warned that easing the ban could lead to significant wildlife casualties and an increase in man-animal conflicts.
Currently, around 10,000 vehicles use the two inter-state highways passing through the Bandipur reserve during the day. Forest officials have suggested extending the night ban from the current nine hours to 12, starting from 6pm instead of 8pm.
