S. A. Hemanth
Bandipur/Mysore/Mudumalai, April 2: Scores of safari-clad officials were seen in the vicinity of Bandipur, Himavat Gopalaswamy Hills and Mudumalai during the past fortnight, thus giving an indication that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit these places in about a week or so.
What lend credibility and authenticity to these rumours and speculations is that the police and the district administration have been working overnight to put up a helipad in the outskirts of Gundlupet abutting the forest area. Why do you need a helipad in a forest area? And the road from Bandipur to Mudumalai is being asphalted in a fast pace.
However, neither the district officials nor the police revealed anything about the possible visit of the Prime Minister. They remained absolutely tight-lipped.
However, the innocent Soliga tribals who inhabit Biligirirangana Betta (Hills) and surrounding places let out the information that Modi is visiting Bandipur and Mudumulai where he is likely to interact with Bomman and Bellie, the two mahouts taking care of elephants in Mudumalai. These two were featured in the documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” which won the Oscars recently.
Forest officials admitted that they have received oral instructions from the police not to accept any bookings from the public for four days, from April 8 to April 11 (both days inclusive). Apart from the possible PM’s visit, several dignitaries are expected to take part in the “Tiger Conclave” who are expected to make field-visit.
Sources in the district administration told The Newz Peg that the Prime Minister’s tentative programme is to attend an event at KSOU auditorium where he is scheduled to release “Amrit Kal ka Vision” for tiger conservation, release of a commemorative coin, release of tiger estimation summary report and declaration of numbers as well as screening of short film ‘success of project tiger’
According to the sources in the district police, the Prime Minister has expressed his desire to be driven in an open jeep from Bandipur to Mudumalai. While Bandipur is part of Karnataka state, Mudumulai, however, is the part of Tamil Nadu state as well.
EOM
