There is a restriction on vehicle traffic at night on the Bandipur forest road. Protests are taking place in Chamarajanagar district and Mysuru district, demanding that this restriction should not be lifted for any reason. A foot march protest has been organized on April 6, 2025, on the Bandipur road.
This proposal is facing protests. However, the Congress government of Karnataka has remained silent and unresponsive to these demands. This raises suspicion that a decision might have been made to allow vehicle traffic even at night on the Bandipur forest road, doesn’t it? There is also a statement made by Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre in Delhi in March 2025 that fuels this suspicion.
“ The issue of the night traffic ban in Bandipur is extremely sensitive. We will consult with the Chief Minister, seek the opinion of legal experts, and take a unanimous decision. This case is currently in the Supreme Court. At present, the restriction is in place from 9 PM to 6 AM. Considering the relationship between the two states and after discussions with all stakeholders, appropriate measures will be taken to make a suitable decision,” said Forest, Environment, and Wildlife Minister Eshwar B. Khandre.
Keeping in mind the welfare of the environment and wildlife, and in response to public pressure and subsequent court directives, night traffic has been banned on the Bandipur forest road. The ban on vehicles is enforced from 9 PM to 6 AM. Only vehicles carrying people in emergency situations, such as ambulances heading to hospitals, are allowed to pass.
Following this, residents of Wayanad district have approached the courts. They have requested the Karnataka government to allow night traffic. However, the courts have not considered their plea. Subsequently, the case reached the Supreme Court.
In such circumstances, the statement made by the Forest and Environment Minister holds significant importance. “We will consult with the Chief Minister, seek the opinion of legal experts, and take a unanimous decision. The relationship between the two states will be kept in mind,” he said. Even if a sensitive issue requires reconsideration, what could be the reason?
Whether it is Bandipur or any other forest area, they are delicate from an environmental perspective. The wildlife there should at least have an environment during the night where they can move freely without the fear of vehicles. Since 2009, vehicle traffic in Bandipur has been restricted from 9 PM to 6 AM. Initially, the then District Collector of Chamarajanagar district issued this order, which was later approved by the state government.
After this, legislators, MPs, and officials from the Kerala government from Wayanad district have continuously pressured the Karnataka state government to allow free traffic even at night. However, no government has considered their request.
Now, senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is a Member of Parliament from Wayanad district. Before her, Rahul Gandhi was the MP from Wayanad. At that time, there was a BJP-led government in Karnataka. Even then, there was pressure from Kerala, but Chief Ministers B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai did not yield. Now, there is a Congress-led government. To appease the party high command and gain their favor, has the Congress government’s leadership decided to allow vehicle traffic at night in Bandipur?
In a democracy, when protests arise regarding a specific issue, the government leadership usually provides clarification. Despite continuous protests demanding that the night restriction in Bandipur not be lifted, no one from the state government has responded. They haven’t even asked the protesters to stop protesting. This is a noteworthy issue!
“Even if you look at the statement made by Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre in Delhi, it becomes clear that a decision has been made to allow night traffic in Bandipur. It doesn’t seem like the Karnataka government has considered the possibility of facing massive protests in the state. Now, environmental organizations, along with other groups, have joined hands. A decision has been made not to allow vehicle traffic on forest roads at night for any reason,” said environmentalist Joseph Hoover.
“After the foot march on April 6, 2025, organizations will submit a memorandum to the state government through a senior forest officer. Following that, we will file a petition in the Supreme Court. A resident from Kerala has already filed an application in the Supreme Court regarding the lifting of the night ban. Immediately, senior officer Prabhakar from the Karnataka Forest Department will file an application stating that, since the Bandipur forest area is extremely sensitive, it is appropriate to restrict vehicle traffic 24 hours a day. During a meeting called to discuss this, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre reportedly scolded the officers, asking how they could file an application in court without government permission. Later, he reportedly had the application withdrawn through the officers,” Hoover explained.
“When the application filed by the Karnataka Forest Department in the Supreme Court was withdrawn, it became evident that the state’s Congress government was playing some kind of game. After that, Eshwar Khandre’s statement came from Delhi. By then, it was clear what their decision might be,” Joseph Hoover said.
What could happen if a decision is made?
No order has yet been issued by the Karnataka Congress government to lift the night traffic ban on the Bandipur forest road. If such an order is issued, protests by environmentalists and other organizations will intensify. Applications will be filed in court. Additionally, there will be other consequences.
Since 2000, environmentalists in Karnataka have become highly organized. With lakhs of members, they form a significant vote bank for their causes and also have the power to influence other voters. As a result, the Congress party will undoubtedly lose a considerable number of votes in any upcoming elections. Along with this, they will permanently lose the trust of all these people.
So far, Forest Minister Khandre has earned a large following due to his environment-friendly decisions. However, if the night ban is lifted, he will lose those supporters. With all these potential consequences, what kind of decision might the Karnataka government make?
