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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Karnataka Govt suspends senior IFS officer R Gokul over stand on forest land donated to HMT Ltd in Bengaluru
The Karnataka Government Wednesday suspended a senior Indian Forest Service officer, R Gokul, for allegedly facilitating the handover of forest land worth nearly Rs 14,000 crore, held by the public sector company Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) in Bengaluru, to third parties, including private entities. The government issued the suspension order stating that 'in exercise of the powers under Rule 3(1) (a) of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, Sri R. Gokul, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Director General, EMPRI, Bengaluru, is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry.' The reason for Gokul's suspension has been cited as his actions regarding the 'denotification of lands granted to HMT measuring 443 Acres 6 guntas situated at Peenya Jalahalli Plantation'. According to the government order, an interlocutory application was filed by forest officials before the Supreme Court in 2020 'without obtaining the approval of the then minister-in-charge or sanction from the state cabinet' for permission to denotify 443.6 acres of land granted to HMT at the Peenya Jalahalli Plantation. Initially, the state government issued notices to Sandeep Dave, a retired IAS officer and the former additional chief secretary for Forest, Ecology and Environment; Vijay Kumar Gogi, retired IFS officer and the former principal secretary for Forest, Ecology and Environment; Smitha Bijjur, IFS, ex-principal secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Gokul. The government has reported receiving replies to the notices from three of the four officers (other than Sandeep Dave) but said that Gokul had written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after receiving his notice 'seeking protection' in an illegal mining case from the 2010 period where he is a key witness against a mafia that was operated by political figures. The IFS officer also did not obtain permission or inform the government when he filed an 'Intervention Application (113311/2025) in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India against IA (190307/2024 WP (C) 337/1995) filed by the State Government in the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India for withdrawal of the IA (60477/2020 in WP (C) 337/1995) related to the de-notification of lands belonging to HMT Ltd,' said the suspension order. The government order said the conduct of Gokul 'is in violation of Rule 17 of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and the State Government is prima facie satisfied that it is necessary' to place him under suspension with immediate effect. Last week, Karnataka Minister for Forest and Environment Eshwar Khandre announced that the government had recommended action against two serving IFS officers, one retired IFS officer, and one retired IAS officer for filing of an application in the Supreme Court 'seeking permission for denotification of HMT forest land worth over Rs. 14,000 crore'. 'This plantation is owned by HMT. It is illegal for the organisation to sell to government departments/organisations and private individuals. However, the fact that forest officials did not make any attempt to recover the land and, without even drawing the attention of the Cabinet, submitted an Interim Application (IA) to the Supreme Court seeking denotification in 2020 is a cause for doubt,' Khandre has said. The controversy pertains to 599 acres of land in a plantation in the Peenya Jalahalli region in North Bengaluru, which was declared a forest in 1896 and was later transferred to HMT in the 1960s to create industrial infrastructure through a donation deed by the district collector. In recent years, large portions of the land given to HMT by the forest department for industrial purposes have been used to facilitate major real estate projects through the connivance of state and central government officials. Over the last year, a dispute arose over the land between the Union Heavy Industries Ministry headed by H D Kumaraswamy, who is looking at monetising the land to resuscitate the fortunes of HMT, and the state forest department, which is trying to recover the HMT land by arguing that it remains a forest land. In November last year, the Karnataka Government issued notices to the forest officials concerned over the filing of the IA in the SC on the HMT forest land. In January this year, the state government ordered that since 281 acres of the 599 acres of land donated to HMT is vacant land 'without any building,' the forest department must take possession of the vacant forest land. Over 200 acres of the HMT land in Bengaluru have been handed over to private players and others, even as HMT Ltd has collapsed in the last four decades. One of the major transfers of land happened between 1999 and 2004 when the Congress was in power, leading to the construction of apartment complexes by some of the big real estate developers of Bengaluru.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Anil Kumble, Eshwar Khandre meet: Kumble committed to forest conservation and development says Min
Bengaluru: Indian Cricketer Anil Kumble has now committed to wildlife and forest conservation and development, said Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B Khandre. After consulting with renowned former cricketer and environmentalist Anil Kumble, who met him in Bengaluru on Tuesday, he said that Anil Kumble, who has immense concern and love for wildlife, forests and the environment, has agreed to become the forest and wildlife ambassador without any remuneration, which is a testament to his environmental concern and commitment. Kumble, who has played a key role in many victories of the Indian team with his leg-spin charm, is the proud son of not only Karnataka but also India. He is in the hearts of cricket lovers. He expressed confidence that he will promote and broadcast about forest and wildlife conservation and create awareness among the people. Kumble also has the experience of serving as the Vice President of the Karnataka Wildlife Board in the past. Eshwar Khandre opined that Anil Kumble becoming the ambassador will strengthen forest conservation and forest development. Speaking to media after meeting the minister, Anil Kumble thanked the government for deciding to appoint him as the Forest and Wildlife Ambassador. He said that he would work together with the department for forest and wildlife conservation and development.
Hans India
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Anil Kumble-Eshwar Khandre meet
Bengaluru: Indian Cricketer Anil Kumble has now committed to wildlife and forest conservation and development, said Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B Khandre. After consulting with renowned former cricketer and environmentalist Anil Kumble, who met him in Bengaluru on Tuesday, he said that Anil Kumble, who has immense concern and love for wildlife, forests and the environment, has agreed to become the forest and wildlife ambassador without any remuneration, which is a testament to his environmental concern and commitment. Kumble, who has played a key role in many victories of the Indian team with his leg-spin charm, is the proud son of not only Karnataka but also India. He said that he is the only magical bowler after Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match. Anil Kumble, who has played 110 Test matches and taken 619 wickets, is also known as Jumbo. Similarly, he has played more than 264 one-day matches and has taken 337 wickets. He is in the hearts of cricket lovers. He expressed confidence that he will promote and broadcast about forest and wildlife conservation and create awareness among the people. Kumble also has the experience of serving as the Vice President of the Karnataka Wildlife Board in the past. Eshwara Khandre opined that Anil Kumble becoming the ambassador will strengthen forest conservation and forest development. Speaking to media after meeting the minister, Anil Kumble thanked the government for deciding to appoint him as the Forest and Wildlife Ambassador. He said that he would work together with the department for forest and wildlife conservation and development.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Jnanabharathi Campus to be a heritage site?
heritage site declaration Jnanabharathi Campus Bangalore University The Jnanabharathi campus is Bengaluru's biggest lung space, in 2002-2003, we planted seven lakh trees belonging to 700 species, which are today acting as the biggest carbon sink –Dr AN Yellappa Reddy, an environmentalist urban mini-forests Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Forestry, Ecology and Environment to submit a proposal for declaring the Bangalore Universityas a heritage site under the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), step is being taken after various proposed development activities have been declared in the recent past, posing a threat to the campus's proposal highlighted that there are many large trees on theJnanabharathi Campus, and underscored the department's responsibility in safeguarding its rich biodiversity. It emphasised the need to protect the campus's green belt, ensuring its preservation for future generations and contributing to the city's environmental sustainability. 'However, efforts are being made to cut down these trees to undertake various construction works, it is hereby directed to submit a proposal in the file, if it is possible to declare this green campus of Bangalore University as a heritage site under the Biodiversity Act, 2002,' read the letter by the Minister. The Minister also clarified that the step is being taken after an appeal from environmentalists to protect biodiversity on the Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar's pet project – South Asia's tallest skydeck, is also planned on 25 acres of land at the campus that is teeming with to renowned environmentalist Dr AN Yellappa Reddy, who created the forest cover and bioparks on the campus nearly two decades ago, all the proposed development projects on the campus, including the skydeck, should be scrapped and the campus should be declared a heritage site on the lines of Nallur Tamarind Grove in Devanahalli.'The Jnanabharathi campus is Bengaluru's biggest lung space. In 2002-2003, we planted seven lakh trees belonging to 700 species, which are today acting as the biggest carbon sink,' he said. He highlighted that contour bunds were also created to preserve rainwater on campus, which has led to an improvement in the groundwater table by nearly ten feet. 'The campus is home to hundreds of birds and other flora and fauna. All these measures were then taken with public contribution, and all native species of the Western Ghats are growing ex-situ on the campus. It is only apt that the campus is declared a heritage site,' he said that if taken forward, the move will ensure that the educational campus does not turn into a tourism center.'Plantation across the campus was taken up systematically more than two decades ago. A yoga center proposed a few years ago was vehemently opposed to ensure that the green cover is intact,' said Dattatreya Devare, trustee of Bangalore Environment Trust, noting that today, the native forest on the campus, along with its biodiversity, are thriving, and declaring it a heritage site is a step in the right the Biodiversity Act (section 37), areas of biodiversity importance can be notified as heritage sites, and measures can be taken for the management of such sites. Such areas are notified based on the recommendations of the State Biodiversity Nishant, a member of Bengaluru's Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), said that the benefits of biodiversity parks on the campus and ecosystem services provided to the environment and society are unmatched. 'BMC has been looking at analysing ecosystem services that the Jnanabharathi forest provides to the citizens of Bengaluru. Theseshould be conserved and not subjected to any developmental activities. In case a developmental activity cannot be avoided, it should be done vertically. We will soon meet the BU administration to discuss the living resources on the campus and the important role they play as Bengaluru's lung space,' said Nishant.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Forest is the stepping stone to leading a beautiful life: Khandre
Belur: Avoiding imitation of the West, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwara B Khandre called on today's youth to uphold our ancient and rich heritage. Speaking after inaugurating the Dashamanotsava programme of Sri Hulikallu Veerabhadreshwaraswamy Temple in Gonisomanahalli, Halebidu Hobli, he said that the Hoysalas who ruled Karunad flourished art in stone. They made a great contribution to the artistic heritage. He said that the heritage of Karnataka is rich and it needs to be made known to today's youth. Basavadi Sharan advocated the idea of equality and social justice for all in the 12th century, and his contribution to social change was unparalleled. He said that the contribution made by the Veerashaiva Lingayat Math to the progress of modern Karnataka was also unparalleled. He said that our Math, which provides shelter, food and letters to everyone without any discrimination of caste, religion or ethnicity, has made a great contribution to the field of education and health. Children should be introduced to culture. Today, young people are becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs. If mothers teach their children the verses from childhood, they will have a vision of life. The lives of children will be good, he said. Eshwar Khandre, who asserted that humans can survive as long as there is forest, if there is forest, there will be rain, if there is forest, there will be more green cover, it will be a stepping stone to a beautiful life in this era of global warming and climate change. 'Our ancestors saved the natural environment by building temples on hills and mountains. Since the temples are on hills, no one has destroyed those hills and mountains. He said that the foresight of our ancestors is invaluable.' He said that he has come to Hassan district for the 7th time after becoming the Forest Minister and is making sincere efforts to control the human-wildlife conflict here. Member of Parliament Shreyas Patel, MLA HK Suresh, former MLA Lingesh and others participated in the program. Sri Guruparadeshikendra Mahaswamiji of Keragodi Rangapur, Tiptur taluk, Pushpagiri Maha Sansthan, Somashekar Shivacharya Mahaswamiji of Halebidu were present.
