Minister Announces Task Force to Remove All Encroachments in Karnataka Forests and Western Ghats
Eshwar Khandre announced that the state karnataka government has formed a “forests and Western Ghats encroachment clearance task force” to remove illegal resorts, homestays, and all other encroachments throughout the entire ghat regions of the state.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre announced on Sunday that the state government has set up a “forests and Western Ghats encroachment clearance task force.” This task force aims to clear out illegal resorts, homestays, and other encroachments in the forested ghat regions of the state, including the Western Ghats, which span 10 districts.
The task force, led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, will begin its operations immediately, focusing on removing encroachments in the Western Ghats and other ghat areas.
On Friday, Eshwar Khandre instructed the forest department’s additional chief secretary to order the removal of all forest encroachments established in the Western Ghats since 2015. He also requested a report on the actions taken within a month. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Khandre highlighted the devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, and Shirur in Uttara Kannada. He pointed out that hills that had existed for thousands of years have now vanished, and landslides are becoming frequent in the Western Ghats, including areas like Shiradi Ghat and Charmadi Ghat.
Eshwar Khandre stated that he has instructed the task force to take appropriate action. (Representational)
He stressed, “If we do not wake up now, the next generation will not forgive us.” Clear instructions have been given to carry out clearance operations for all cases where the 64A process (under the Karnataka Forest Act) has been completed regarding encroachments in the ghat forests since 2015.
Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACF), Deputy Conservators of Forests (DCF), Conservators of Forests (CF), Chief Conservators of Forests (CCF), and Additional Principal Chief Conservators of Forests (APCCF) have the authority to investigate forest encroachment cases and issue orders under Section 64A of the Karnataka Forest Act.
To expedite the resolution of pending 64A cases, officers above the ACF rank have been instructed to hold proceedings twice a week in their respective zones and issue orders promptly. Section 64A deals with the encroachment of forest land and methods for evicting encroachers.
Eshwar Khandre has also directed the task force to collaborate with the Advocate General to resolve cases that are already in court.
Instructions have been given to first remove illegal resorts and homestays built by encroaching on forests, followed by plantations and buildings. “All are equal before the law. Those who encroach upon the Western Ghats and engage in commercial activities will not be tolerated. The environmental damage caused by such activities cannot be ignored.”
Noting the role of unscientific hill cutting at a 90-degree angle during road expansion projects in the Western Ghats, Khandre said notices have been issued to the contractors and engineers involved, and action will be taken against them.
