Published Jul 03, 2025 | 11:46 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 03, 2025 | 11:46 PM
Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre said data shows shrinking forest areas even as wildlife numbers continue to rise.
A total of 300 acres of encroached land including 209 acres of forest land and land previously transferred from the Forest Department to the Horticulture Department has been cleared today in the Muthugadahalli Reserve Forest, which falls under the Bukkapatna Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary in the Tiptur sub-division of Tumakuru district, said Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre.
He explained that the land in Survey No. 46 of Muthugadahalli Ambarapura was originally granted to the Forest Department in 1926 by the Mysore Maharajas under the Mysore Forest Act. However, parts of this forest land were illegally granted to certain individuals, while others encroached upon it. The matter reached the Karnataka High Court, which ordered that the land must be retained as forest. A complaint was also filed with the Lokayukta, as the Revenue Department had failed to cancel the illegal grants.
Following directions from the Lokayukta, the land has now been officially recorded under the Forest Department, and the encroachments have been cleared.The clearance operation was carried out today under the leadership of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Hassan-Tumakuru Division, with the support of the Police Department. The minister emphasized that forest land must remain forest unless officially converted for other purposes and urged officials and the public to recognize and respect this principle.
