: Karnataka Forest Department is neither collecting any help/funds nor authorised any individual or institution to collect any help/funds for the restoration of Bandipur National Park. If anyone is doing so, it is illegal, said Principle Chief Conservator of Forest Sridhar Punati.
Speaking to the reporters, he stated that a few miscreants are collecting funds in the name of Bandipur seed ball and forest restoration which is illegal.
He also stated that the forest department will not allow anyone to throw seed ball into the Bandipur forest area.
All started with a few NGOs and volunteers seeking a public donation for the cause of Bandipur forest restoration. It can be recalled that in the forest fire reported from the Bandipur forests in February, over 10,000 hectares of forest was destroyed.
Following the complaints by the general public on this donation collection spree, the forest department issued this clarification.