Sacred shrines add to conservation challenges in Karnataka’s Bandipur Tiger Reserve

It is not just linear projects, highways, increase in tourist footfall or proliferating resorts that are adding to habitat disturbances in Bandipur.

The relocation of multiple shrines within the Bandipur Tiger Reserve is fraught with inviting the wrath of the local community. As per an informal study conducted by conservation activists, many of these are road-side shrines that do not draw much attention.

But the major ones include Beldakuppe Mahadeshwara temple in Hediyala and Gopalaswamy temple at Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta. The latter is an established tourist centre and private vehicles are not allowed there — only government vehicles are allowed to ply.

The other shrines documented in the study include Tavarekatte Mahadeshwara temple in Bandipur range, Kanive Mallappa temple in Gopalaswamy Betta range, Marigudi temple in Maddur range, a dargah in Gundre range, and Devaramadu Mahadeshwara temple in Kundakere range among others.