As you are already
aware a Bangalore based foundation 'Sanghamitra Buddha Foundation'
is planning on carving up (read as defacing) the West face of Handigondi
into a massive Buddha statue. Handigondi
is the highest granite outcrop at Ramanagaram with a height of 1050
ft. there is a very large reserve forest behind the rock. One can
see this massive monolith to your left on the way from Bangalore
to Mysore a few kms after Bidadi.
Here Rock climbing forms a minor but important point in this too.
If this goes ahead we can forget climbing in this area and in Ibrahim
farm area. Two important birds - the white backed vulture and the
yellow throated bulbuls will also vanish. It will set a bad precedent
for others to follow.
This place is home for many forms of lesser but important wildlife
like sloth bear, leopard, small cats, wild boar, snakes, birds,
reptiles and insects. We feel that it should be preserved with its
natural beauty rather than be used for the purpose as envisaged
by the foundation.
There is a small group of
friends of nature actively trying to get the Karnataka Government
and the Central Environment Ministry to stop this project. As
part of this - one of the methods was to hold a protest rally at
the site itself. This would then communicate a strong statement
to the Government that there are people who are aware and are protesting
against this. This is very important.
We
therefore request you to help us by being present in this protest
rally.
We
plan on having such a protest
on Sunday 29th at Handigondi, Near Gopalpura village
Ramanagaram. The time of gathering shall be 9.30 am near
the rock. Check the map for exact location.
We
are sure that continued action and attention will help in getting
this project scuttled.
Be
sure to be there and get as many people as you can. Also pass this
information to all like minded friends of Nature.
Save
our natural resources.
Details of how to get there
and other details.
Take the Bangalore-Mysore highway,
going will be slow since the road is being converted into a four
lane highway. Pass Bidadi town, you will know this when you pass
a bridge over the railway line. A new bridge is also being built
at this point. Be alert after this point, travel for about 5kms,
and look for a banner on your left. Stop at the banner as this is
the gathering point. We will all gather and move in one group from
here.
Caution – since there
are lots of road works going on the going will be slow. Drive with
care and do not take chances. Leave early to counter traffic, diversions
and ensure that you reach in time for the protest.
We will travel for a few kms
after this on the highway and turn left at a railway crossing. We
cross the tracks and travel for about 3 kms to a parking point.
We all park here and then walk to the base of the rock. We shall
be walking the last bit over fields that belong to poor farmers,
so do not damage any crops, plants when you traverse these fields.
The protest walk shall be a
silent protest till we reach the base of the rock. We will then
be briefed about the nature of the project and what will be the
ecological damage. You will be handed placards to carry during the
walk in and the walk out. On getting back to the parking point after
the protest please return the placards to the organisers. During
the walk and the drive in we shall be going through villages, take
care to be polite and not to damage or trespass.
We start the protest around
10.00 and hope to finish by 11.00 am, we then move back in an orderly
way and get back to the highway.
We request you to bring lots
of water, some sort of head cover (cap/scarf/hat) since the sun
will be up and summer is at its peak. Carry snacks and breakfast
if you want to.
Please remember it is very
important that we do not leave any garbage (bottles/tetra paks/food
covers/wrappers/etc) or litter when we leave. Pack all garbage you
generate and dispose safely in city when you get back. Help us by
being watchful about garbage so that we have a litter free protest.
MAP
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