India, July 9 -- A group of 120 concerned ecologists and activists, including several residents of the affected districts, have written to Mr Prakash Javadekar (Union Environment Minister), B.S. Yeddyurappa (Chief Minister of Karnataka) and the Chief of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, asking for the rejection of the proposal for the Hubballi-Ankola Railway Line. This railway line is set to pass through the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region, threatening 1.58 lakh trees.
The Karnataka State Board for Wildlife had approved the project proposal in March, and it was awaiting approval by the National Board for Wildlife. However, on June 18, the K'taka High Court stayed the project. A second hearing on the Project in the same...