State board approves heritage status; conservation groups welcome move

Karwar: The Karnataka Biodiversity Board has resolved to grant recognition as a traditional biodiversity heritage site to the Aghanashini Appe Midi mango growing areas. Under the Biodiversity Conservation Ac t the area is set to receive official state designation as a biodiversity heritage site once necessary procedures are completed.

A delegation representing the Bedti Aghanashini Valley Conservation Committee and Vriksha Laksha Andolana met Member Secretary Santosh Kumar IFS-PCCF in Bengaluru on July 23 and learned of the decision. The group has expressed satisfaction upon learning about the decision.

Board membears have already visited the Aghanashini area, while the chairman and accompanying scientists took part in the concluding workshop of the Aghanashini padayatra. The Board determined that required measures must be initiated to formalise the heritage declaration. Environmental activists had resolved during the Appe Midi padayatra itself to place this demand before the authorities.

Three months earlier Vriksha Laksha Andolana submitted comprehensive material covering Appe Midi plant diversity, experiences of local residents, opinions of specialist s, the worldwide reputation of Appe Midi pickle, and the ecological sensitivity of the Aghanashini river valley.

The state Board has now made its determination public. Delegation leaders Ananth Hegde Ashisara and Dr. Balachandra Saymane conveyed thanks to the Board chairman and secretary. The same group urged the Board to advance conservation efforts for Kattalekanu in Siddapur taluk.

Participants in the delegation included Venkatesh, Sripada Ganapathi K and others. Activists recalled that the Aghanashini valley received protected-area status in 2012 following recommendations of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel.

Coordinators of the Appe Midi padayatra, Dr. Balachandra Saymane and Gopala Krishna Thangaramane, noted with pleasure that the march held along the river during March and April once again focused public attention on the Aghanashini landscape.

The Indian Institute of Science has completed an extensive examination of the river banks, and former Board member Dr. Prakash Mesta observed that the forthcoming heritage designation will therefore carry added weight. Recognition of the Aghanashini estuaries as a Ramsar site already exists, and scientist Dr. M. D. Subhash Chandran stated that the combined legal protections will furnish substantial support for safeguarding the Aghanashini Bedti valley.