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Karnataka Today newsletter: State to identify more wetlands to secure Ramsar site tag, and more

Close on the heels of three wetlands in Karnataka — Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve near Gadag, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve near Hampi and Aghanashini Estuary close to Gokarna — being declared as Ramsar sites, the State is set to initiate the process to get two more sites recognised as wetlands of international importance.

Karnataka now has four Ramsar sites, including Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary near Srirangapatana, which was the first to be accorded the Ramsar tag in August 2022. The Ramsar site tag is accorded to wetlands that fulfil at least one or more of the nine criteria stipulated under the Ramsar Convention signed on February 2, 1971, and to which India is a signatory. The convention provides a framework for conservation of wetlands.

The State Cabinet has approved ₹1200 crore action plan for white topping of roads in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. The Cabinet meeting held on February 1, approved ₹263 crore for construction of flyover (road overbridge) at IOC junction and construction of an additional two-lane road over bridge (ROB) at Baiyappanhalli Railway level crossing.

Approval was also given for ₹208 crore to ensure drinking water supply in newly added 110 villages to the BBMP about 18 years ago. The BWSSB would undertake works in the second phase, the minister said.

After several delays, Chinese company CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Company Limited, has finally shipped by sea the first six-coach train for the Namma Metro Yellow Line from China to India. The coaches are expected to arrive at the Chennai port mid to late February. After landing in Chennai, they will be transported by road to Hebbagodi depot in Bengaluru.

In 2019, the Chinese company had secured a contract worth ₹1,578 crore to supply 216 metro coaches to BMRCL. However, they couldn’t fulfil the order because they had not set up a manufacturing plant in India as required. The R.V. Road-Bommasandra line of Namma Metro, spanning 19 km, is the elevated Yellow Line. It is expected to become operational within the next six months.