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The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) of Shivamogga Wildlife Division has recommended the diversion of 4.19 hectares (10.35 acres) of wood land, portion of the Sharavati Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary, astatine Bramanavada Kalasavalli colony successful Sagar taluk. The Sri Sigandoor Chowdamma Devi Temple trust, which manages the Sigandoor Chowdeshwari Temple, had submitted a connection seeking the wood onshore for its activities.
Prasanna Krishna Patagar, DCF (Wildlife), inspected the tract and, successful his tract inspection study dated March 25, 2026, stated, “The connection whitethorn beryllium considered for approval.” He said that the structures for which the onshore was sought “already existed”. The projected improvement would make employment and enactment locals. “The temple is simply a pilgrim site; thousands of devotees sojourn the temple daily," the study stated. Now, the connection is pending earlier the nodal serviceman of Karnataka.
Ravi Kumar H.R. had submitted the connection to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and besides approached the State and nationalist wildlife boards for recommendations. The spot sought the onshore for the improvement of the temple, impermanent houses, a toilet complex, a eating hall, residential quarters for staff, a parking area, a hotel, a buying complex, and factual roads.
Also read: Sigandoor temple spot seeks 4.19 hectares of forestland successful sanctuary for its activities
History of location
The DCF, successful his report, noted that the temple was primitively located astatine Shiragalale village, astir 3 kilometres from the contiguous location. However, the spot was submerged during the operation of Linganmakki Reservoir successful 1963. Two years later, a tiny temple was built astatine the contiguous location. Later, successful February 1990, the temple operation was extended and consecrated nether the enactment of S. Ramappa, trustee.
The temple has been mentioned successful the records of Tumri Gram Panchayat since 1969–70. Earlier, it was situated connected authorities (revenue) land, and it came nether the sanctuary successful 1974. Further, it was considered a deemed forest, arsenic per the Supreme Court’s Godavarmana judgement that expanded the explanation of “forest”. The components for which the diversion of wood onshore was sought person been developed since 1990, erstwhile the tract was located astatine Soppina Betta successful the jurisdiction of the Sagar territorial division. In 2016, it came nether the Shivamogga Wildlife Division, the study stated.
Since 1990
When The Hindu contacted Mr. Patagar, the serviceman stated that helium sent the study connected the connection aft inspecting the site. “The structures for which the connection was submitted person been successful beingness since 1990. The spot was successful possession of the onshore good earlier the country became a deemed wood arsenic per the tribunal judgement. I person stated the facts successful my report," helium noted. With respect to a writ petition pending earlier the Karnataka High Court seeking the removal of encroachments, the serviceman said that helium had cited the pending tribunal lawsuit successful his study and besides reported the violations.
The applicant had sought wood clearance and wildlife clearance, arsenic the onshore is located successful the wildlife area. The State Wildlife Board, according to the DCF, has recommended the connection for consideration, taxable to the court’s verdict.
