Four more biodiversity heritage sites for Karnataka
Context: Karnataka Biodiversity Board has recommended GI tag to Kari Ishad, a variety of mango grown in Uttara Kannada.
- The Karnataka Biodiversity Board has decided to declare four more areas in the State as biodiversity heritage sites.
- A resolution is passed to declare
- Antaragange Betta in Kolar; It has a unique and perennial water source flowing all through the year
- Aadi Narayana Swamy Betta in Chickballapur; had many dry-belt species protected by locals.
- Mahima Ranga Betta in Nelamangala, Bengaluru; it is a prominent lung space surviving in Bengaluru.
- Urumbi area on the Kumaradhara river basin in Dakshina Kannada as biodiversity heritage sites has has a fragile environmental system and is located on the banks of the river Kumaradhara.
- Biodiversity heritage sites are considered unique and fragile ecosystems that can be marine ecosystems, coastal and inland waters, or terrestrial areas.
- Notifying an area as biodiversity heritage site will help protect the rich and unique ecosystem in a particular area from further destruction.
- Forest Department will take necessary steps, such as a survey of the areas for earmarking the borders, and documentation, before issuing the notification of declaration.