Karnataka government to form panel to decide on lifting ban on eucalyptus plantation

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To form an expert committee

Eshwar Khandre said that the Forest Department will form an expert committee and that it will be asked to submit a comprehensive report within a month.

Speaking after the meeting, the Minister explained, “A total of 20,005 hectares of forest land has been given to Bhadravati Paper Factory in 2020 on a lease for 40 years for growing eucalyptus. However, forest land cannot be granted without the Union government’s permission. On the other hand, the factory cannot run without getting the required raw material. This catch situation needs to be resolved.”

MPM operation requires 10 lakh tonnes of raw material every year and currently only two lakh tonnes are available from the land given to the factory. Eucalyptus plantation is banned in the state. So, this has forced the concerned to explore a new option so that the factory can be revived, he said.

The government is considering allowing eucalyptus plantations in the surrounding districts of Shivamogga as well and the proposed committee will take a call on this, Patil added.

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