Yediyurappa says night traffic ban in Bandipur forest road to continue

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced that the ban on the plying of vehicles in the Bandipur forest would continue. The Chief Minister said that he cannot go against the court's order. "The court has allowed to not to allow vehicles in the night in Bandipur forest area,” he said. In May the Karnataka Government had filed an affidavit in the apex court recommending continuation of the nine-hour traffic ban on this highway that traverses Bandipur National Park which the Apex court upheld.   

Protests against the ban

There have been protests against the night traffic ban on the National Highway-766. The Highway cuts through the Bandipur forest and the tiger reserve. The protests have reached its eighth day today. According to reports, 20,000 school students also joined the protests on Tuesday and were supported by the school staff. 

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Rahul Gandhi meets Kerala CM

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in New Delhi on Tuesday to communicate the problems faced by people of Wayanad due to the night traffic ban on the national highway passing through Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. Rahul Gandhi also tweeted in solidarity with the people who have been on a hunger strike since September 25 to protests against the ban.

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The Night-traffic ban

The Karnataka government has banned night traffic through the road passing through Bandipur National Park as conservationists argued that it is disturbing the wildlife from 9 P.M in the evening up to 6 A.M. in the morning. The alternate route is much longer and completely bypasses Sulthan Bathery, Gundlupet and Nanjangud.

(With inputs from ANI)

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