Karnataka Acts to Clear Forest and Ghats Encroachments

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre announced the formation of a task force to address forest encroachments in the Western Ghats and other ghat regions. The task force, led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, will begin operations immediately. Encroachment cases will be expedited to prevent further environmental damage and landslides.

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre announced the establishment of a 'forests and western ghats encroachment clearance task force' on Sunday. The initiative aims to eliminate illegal resorts, home stays, and forest encroachments across the state's ghat regions, including the Western Ghats, which span ten districts.

The task force, under the leadership of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, will begin operations immediately, Khandre confirmed. This comes after Khandre instructed the forest department's additional chief secretary to issue orders for the removal of encroachments that have appeared since 2015 and submit an action report within a month.

Khandre highlighted the severe consequences of unchecked encroachment, citing landslides in Wayanad and Uttara Kannada's Shirur that resulted in loss of life. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'If we do not wake up now, the next generation will not forgive us.'

Tasks for the forest officers have been clearly outlined, including the rapid processing of encroachment cases under Section 64A of the Karnataka Forest Act. Officers above the level of Assistant Conservator of Forests are given authority to investigate and issue orders, with instructions to conduct proceedings twice a week.

The Minister also stressed the need for action against illegal commercial structures in the Ghat areas. Contractors and engineers responsible for unsustainable construction methods that contribute to landslides have also been notified.

'All are equal before the law,' Khandre declared. The new measures aim to mitigate human impact on the environment and prevent future landslides, ensuring long-term ecological balance in the Western Ghats.