Shola Forests at Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary.Image: By Shyamal via Wikimedia Commons
Claiming that the World Heritage Tag will have adverse effects on people’s life in Coorg, Bopaiah said that he will resign from the Speaker’s post if it need be, a move seen as a tactic to pressurize the BJP Govt in Karnataka to accept his demands. He was quoted in DNA stating;
I would not have been a Speaker if there was no Kodagu. For me, Kodagu comes first and later is the question of my state and country. I cannot compromise on the interests of Kodagu. I am ready to quit the post of Speaker, but cannot give up Kodagu.
Bopaiah found support in the assembly as the house adopted the resolution opposing the heritage tag. The forest minister C P Yogeshwar is also contemplating a mission to the central govt to request a cancellation of the heritage tag given to western ghats. He also said that he had written twice to the central govt regarding the same, but had not received any reply from them.
The minister had previously rejected a new tiger reserve proposal for the state from the Center stating;
The tiger population has increased in the state; we don’t want yet another reserve
JD(S) Leader M C Nanaiah had rapped the minister for his knowledge and callous attitude about issues concerning man-elephant conflict in Coorg.
