Ettina Bhuja: Officials take stern action; Ultra-marathon canceled

Chikkamagaluru:  The ultra-marathon, that was to be held today in the reserve forests here, has been canceled after the event evoked strong opposition from the locals and environmentalists, prompting the officials to take strict action.

However, the marathon was held as scheduled in the non-forest areas.

In an effort towards citizen-centric journalism, Udayavani web had published an article about the opposition from the environmentalist to the ultra-marathon being held in reserve forests at the Ettina Bhuja range. The prompt report has reached the officials and the marathon has been canceled.

Ettina Bhuja area of the Western Ghats is a sensitive area of ecological importance. It comes under the Balur reserve forest that shelters a large elephant population. But, in the absence of guidelines tourist activities are flourishing without break, harming the sensitive ecology of the area.

‘The Malnad Ultra’ marathon was being organized by a private organization. The locals had objected to the permits given to a private entity to hold large events in a reserve forest by flouting existing norms.

Now, the forest officials have stopped the leg of the race that traversed through the forest area. The officials have cordoned off the Ettina Bhuja reserve forest with wire fencing.

Environmentalists have appreciated the department’s stern action and have demanded to reign in tourist activity that can trouble the wildlife in the area.