Bengaluru: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has directed the Karnataka state government to investigate allegations of legal violations in the widening of National Highway 169 (NH 169), which passes through the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.

The complaint, filed by Shivamogga-based NGO Green Lives, claims that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) misled the forest department by asserting that no wildlife sanctuary or ESZ falls within the highway’s widening alignment. However, according to the ESZ notification for Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately a 4-kilometer stretch of the highway lies within the ESZ, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.

In February, the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) in Shivamogga inspect

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