Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Today newsletter: CM Siddaramaiah extends support to TN CM M.K. Stalin’s effort to oppose delimitation, and more

The Congress government in Karnataka has extended support to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s effort to raise the issue of delimitation exercise that is expected to put Southern states in a disadvantageous position even as it has not spelt out its decision on attending the March 22 meeting convened by Mr. Stalin.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah extended his support to Mr. Stalin’s effort during his meeting with Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponnumudi and Rajya Sabha member M.M. Abdulla, who called on him here on March 12. The Tamil Nadu delegation sought Mr. Siddaramaiah’s support in protests on issues such as delimitation. Before the meeting with the delegation, Mr. Stalin spoke to Mr. Siddaramaih on phone and discussed the same issues.

In all, 224 bird species were documented across the Mysuru-Mandya-Chamarajanagar belt during the annual winter bird census and monitoring exercise conducted in January this year. The single-day exercise was conducted by 71 volunteers under the aegis of Mysore Nature led by A. Shivaprakash, a well-known birder and ornithologist, and the 19 teams, which took part in the exercise, covered 110 water bodies across the three districts.

The survey findings reinforce Mysuru region as an ideal habitat for birds, including the migratory species that come here to roost during winter, such as the Bar-headed Goose, which flies in all the way from Mongolia. This is attributed to the presence of water bodies some of which are recognised as Important Bird Areas (IBA) by Birdlife International.

In an effort to resolve network disruptions in the vicinity of the Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru, the Prison and Correctional Services Department has directed Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) to recalibrate 19 jammers installed in the prison.

According to sources, the jammers are likely to be sent to Bhopal for the necessary frequency modifications. A two-day survey conducted by TCIL had found weak cellphone and wi-fi signals within a 2.5 km radius of the prison. The survey also revealed that the disruptions to 4G and 5G networks were caused by the 19 jammers, which were installed to enhance disruption alongside the Tower-Harmonics Call Blocking System (T-HCBS).

Chikkamagaluru police visited homestays, resorts and lodges in the district on March 11 and 12 to check if the owners were taking good care of their guests. The police conducted this drive across the district following the rape of a foreign tourist and a homestay owner in Hampi on March 6.