Nature left to its elements It is almost a year now since we breathed a sigh of relief about the flora, fauna

and people of the Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks in Karnataka being freed from the clutches of the bandit Veerappan. Having eliminated one menace, can we now rest in peace and look to a lived happily ever after! tale in Bandipur" #eemingly not, if recent reports are to be believed $http%&&www.indian'ungles.com&()*+*,e.htm and the -eek maga.ine, issue dated (/&+&*,0. 1s soon as the brigand was eliminated, greedy eyes and unconcerned holidaymakers seem to have made a line for the forest for different reasons. 2he locals had voiced their fears last year, about who will protect the forests and its resources and how. 2heir concerns were about how the hills and mountains would be an attraction for the granite industry lobby for the valued black granite that lay there. 3f course, one poacher $Veerappan0 would make way for do.ens of others was as much common sense as was the locals4 over5riding concern. 2ourism, nature trail and resort operators have moved in, offering packages to the urban wanderers. In doing this, the authorities seem to have a 6uaint line of thought that more is better5more tourists mean less poaching. How much of that holds good is yet to be seen. However, the fact that the forest guards and anti poaching personnel at the national park are underpaid, under5armed and outnumbered means that conservation here is as difficult as it can be. 3n the other hand, the natives, living as they do in grave poverty, cannot be e7pected to hold out long a battle these forces. 8akes one wonder wistfully if the earlier menace was better.