The state government will launch a concerted effort to increase Karnataka’s forest cover through a ‘green cover’ campaign, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister R Shankar said on Friday.
The minister also revealed that plans were afoot to set up a mega zoological garden in north Karnataka. “A forestry on the lines of the Pilikula nature reserve will be established near the Ranebennur blackbuck sanctuary,” Shankar told reporters after assuming his office. Shankar represents the Ranebennur constituency.
Asked about allowing private wildlife sanctuaries to come up and their regulation, Shankar said he would take a call after consulting the environmentalists, elected representatives and the officials.
The minister said he had instructed authorities to take strict action against factories that were causing environmental damage.