Centre rejects proposal to divert forest land for RTO in Karnataka forest minister Eshwar Khandre's home turf Bidar
Bengaluru: Contrary to forest minister Eshwar Khandre's steadfast belief in conservation, Bidar forest officials and Karnataka forest department had recommended diversion of 1.76 acres of reserve forest near Bidar for setting up a road transport office.
However, citing availability of an already existing alternative road, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MOEFCC) rejected the forest diversion proposal Thursday.
The forest officials' move to divert fauna-rich forest land in the forest minister's home district has evoked a bitter response among conservation activists. As per the documents available with TOI, the state forest department in June 2024 had recommended diversion of 0.7133 hectares (1.76 acres) of forest land at Chitta village for the construction of an approach road to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles for fitness certification (FC) and to establish a test drive range for driving licenses.
"As the site is intended for significant daily vehicle traffic (expected to cross 200 vehicles per day), there is a potential risk to wildlife, including species such as black buck and wild boar. It is imperative to build a tall compound wall, at least 8 to 10 feet high along the proposed boundary line to prevent accidents involving wildlife," the (DCF), Bidar suggested in the report.
The principal chief conservator of forests (forest conservation) said in the report, "There are 84 trees of varying girth size on the proposed site, including Azadirachta indica (neem), eucalyptus, Hardwickia binata (Indian Blackwood), Pongamia, Tectona grandis (teak), etc.
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The forest land proposed for diversion does not form part of any national park, sanctuary, tiger reserve, or elephant corridor. Also, there are no endangered flora and fauna on the forest land, and the forest area proposed for diversion is bare minimum and unavoidable.
"
Reviewing the proposal, the MOEFCC said in their order, "There is already availability of an alternative approach road through non-forest land. Under these circumstances, the construction of another road by diverting the forest land, involving felling of 84 trees, does not find any clear merit.
Hence, we are conveying the rejection of the above proposal in the interest of forest conservation."
Meanwhile, the move by forest department has drawn flak from conservationists. "The minister initiated action even for axing a couple of trees and responded to activists' calls and stopped the diversion of forests when there is availability of non-forest land. How could he allow this in his home district? He should order an inquiry into this and initiate action against officials," said a conservationist from Shivamogga.
"This is a govt project, and permission was sought to take only a small extent of the land. Our (govt) view is that both forest conservation and development must happen in a sustainable way. In this case, I was not aware of the availability of alternative non-forest land. I will verify with our officials about the latest development and comment on it after getting the report."
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