Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre orders removal of forest encroachments after 2015

Karnataka's Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre reaffirmed the state's zero-tolerance policy on forest land encroachment, directing officials to clear encroachments made after 2015.

Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre on Monday reaffirmed the state government's zero-tolerance policy on forest land encroachment, saying no new encroachments would be allowed.

He directed officials to clear all encroachments that have occurred after 2015.

Speaking at a departmental progress review meeting of the Forest and Environment Department held in Udupi, the Minister said that it has been certified that a total of two lakh acres of forest land in the state had been encroached before 2015.

Among this, it has been decided that encroachments of less than three acres, including patta land encroachments made for livelihood purposes by families, will not be evicted until the government makes alternative arrangements.

He instructed that encroachments of more than three acres should be cleared.

Meanwhile, Khandre directed strict action to curb human–wildlife conflict incidents occurring in areas such as Puttur, Hebri, Sulya, Uppinangadi, Belthangady, Venur, and Karkala.

The forest minister ordered action against polluting fish mills and directed that the quality of river water be monitored regularly and that it be ensured whether purification plants are functioning properly.