'Grasslands a habitat for endangered species'

BANGALORE: In compliance with the September 27, 2013 direction of the National Green Tribunal (south zone), the environment and forests ministry filed a common counter before the tribunal, agreeing with the contentions in the applications that the Amrut Mahal Kaval grassland in Challakere constitute a critical habitat for the Great Indian Bustard.

"It's a critically endangered species," the petitioner, Environment Support Group quoting the ministry, said here, adding, "The ministry also held that the Kavals constitute a potential habitat of the Great Indian Bustard."

It said the ministry confirmed that a part of the area allotted to various organisations has, in fact, been included in the list of deemed forests prepared in compliance with a December 12, 1996 order of the Supreme Court. The tribunal posted the matter for final hearing on December 19, 2013.