Minister announces establishment of task force to remove all encroachments in Karnataka forests and Western Ghats
Eshwar Khandre stated that he has directed the task force to take suitable action. (Representational)
Bengaluru:
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre declared on Sunday that the state government has established a ‘forests and western ghats encroachment clearance task force’ to eliminate unlawful resorts, home stays and all forest encroachments in the complete ghat regions of the state, encompassing the western ghats, which includes 10 districts.
This task force has been developed under the leadership of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, and it will execute forest encroachment clearance operations in western ghats and other ghat areas starting from today, the Minister communicated in a statement.
Eshwar Khandre had on Friday instructed the forest department’s additional chief secretary to release orders for the elimination of all forest encroachments that have emerged after 2015 in the western ghats region, and to present an action taken report in a month’s duration.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Conservator of Forests (CF), Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) are authorized to investigate forest encroachment cases and release orders under 64A.
Eshwar Khandre mentioned that he has directed the task force to take appropriate action in discussion with the Advocate General to resolve the cases already in courts.
Guidelines have been given to first evacuate the unlawful resorts and homestays constructed by encroaching forests on a large scale, and then to remove the plantations and buildings. “All are equal before the law. Those who encroach the western ghats and are engaged in commercial activities will not be permitted. Damage caused to the environment by such activities cannot be offset.” Observing that unscientific cutting of the hill at 90 degrees angle during the upgradation and expansion of roads in the western ghats region has resulted in landslides, the Minister mentioned contractors and engineers executing such work have also been given notice and instructions have been issued to take action against them.
Waiting for response to load…