Latest news with #EshwarBKhandre
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Eshwar Khandre recommends suspension of IFS officer
Bengaluru: A case has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking permission to denotify HMT forest land worth over Rs 14,000 crore, and action has been recommended against a retired IAS, IFS and two sitting IFS officers, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre said. Speaking to reporters who met him in Bengaluru on Friday, he said that the land in the possession of HMT has not been converted to non-forest purposes. 'Therefore, according to several judgments given by the Supreme Court and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, it remains a forest even today. However, this land is alienated, real estate companies have built hundreds of flats. Shooting of serials and films is going on. The land is being used for commercial purposes. How this was allowed is questionable', he said. Responding to a journalist's question about why no action has been taken even after seven months of giving notice to officials in the case of IA for denotification of HMT forest land without the permission of the cabinet, the minister said that the forest land in the possession of HMT is the property of 7 crore Kannadigas, which a few officials did not even bring to the attention of the then Forest Minister and applied for denotification without seeking the prior permission of the cabinet. He said that notices have been issued to four officials, including two retired and two serving ones, and that he has recommended action to the Chief Minister. Additional Chief Principal Conservator of Forests R Gokul has written a letter to the CBI seeking protection, saying that he is being victimised because he got the ruling party MLAs punished in the Belikeri case. Responding to a journalist's question whether the government is victimising officials, Khandre said that this is a completely false allegation made against the government. 'On September 24, 2024, I sent a written note to the Additional Chief Secretary, asking for a show cause notice to the officers who had issued IA without the prior approval of the Cabinet and asked them to take action' the Minister said. 'A month after the notice was given, the verdict was delivered in October 2024. R. Gokul wrote a letter to the CBI to cover up his mistake, making false allegations against the government, which could also be considered misconduct by the officer or a threat tactic', he said. He personally visited the HMT forest land area, where there is still 280 acres of plantation. However, the IA was submitted by giving false information to the Supreme Court that the said land has lost its forest status. The officer writing the letter to the CBI in his defence questioned why he did not write a letter to the Chief Minister saying that there is forest on the HMT land. It cannot be submitted as an IA because it has lost its forest status. A high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary was formed in 2015 to discuss and recommend to the government the forest land held by other institutions in Bengaluru. Without even bringing it to the attention of that committee, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court on June 20, 2020, seeking permission for denotification without the permission of the Cabinet. In just 25 days, i.e. on 15 July 2020, a high-level meeting was held to decide the issue 'I have asked the Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Ecology Department to submit a proposal for denotification of such forest areas after seeking the opinion of the Advocate General regarding the sanction of areas to various/government institutions before 1980 for a decision.' However, he said that ex-post facto permission was not obtained for this. Hence, notices were issued to four officers. He said that he has now submitted a file to the Chief Minister to suspend Gokul and conduct an inquiry, conduct a departmental inquiry against another officer and take action against a retired IAS officer and an IFS officer as per the rules. As soon as this matter came to his notice, an application was filed in the Supreme Court to withdraw the IA. The Cabinet's permission has also been obtained to withdraw the IA, said Eshwar Khandre. The government's intention is to build another huge park in North Bengaluru on the forest land in the possession of HMT. 'Our goal is to save breathing space for the next generation' Eshwar Khandre said and added that he had made this point clear even before filing an application in the Supreme Court to withdraw the IA.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Forest Minister steps in to save forest, fauna at Jnanabharati campus
Bengaluru: The Forest Department is preparing to examine the feasibility of declaring the Jnanabharati campus of Bangalore University as a heritage site. The Higher Education Department and the BBMP have decided to carry out various construction works on the Jnanabharati campus, which is like a granary of oxygen and a mini forest of the city. For this, the demand for the required land has already been put forward. 50 acres of land in the Bio Park Part-8 of the campus was identified to establish the Visvesvaraya Engineering College University (UVCE). Opposing this, the Jnanabharati Airmen's Association had filed a complaint with the Governor. In this context, the Governor had asked for a scientific report regarding this land. Bangalore University had formed a committee to examine the proposal for the construction of the college and prepare a report. Even before the report was submitted, Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar had said that the 50 acres of land identified for the construction of UVCE was not enough. Therefore, 200 to 300 acres of land was required and on October 7, he had written to the University Vice Chancellor asking him to submit a suitable proposal in this regard. Meanwhile, the BBMP, which had been searching for a suitable place in various parts of the city to build the tallest skydeck in South Asia, finally set its eyes on the Jnanabharati campus and wrote a letter to the Higher Education Department requesting the transfer of 25 acres of land in the campus for the construction of a 250-meter-high skydeck at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore. Further enraged by this, environmentalists, the Jnanabharati Walkers Association and '(Parisarakahi Naavu) We for the Environment' and other organisations had written to the Governor and the Forest Minister demanding protection of the Jnanabharati campus. In this context, Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre has instructed the Forest Department officials to examine the feasibility of declaring the Jnanabharathi campus as a heritage site and submit a proposal. Minister Eshwar B Khandre had written a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of the department on May 13, instructing them to submit a proposal, if possible, to declare the Jnanabharathi campus as a heritage site. 'There are lakhs of huge trees in the Bangalore University-Jnanabharathi campus, and it is the responsibility of the department to preserve the biodiversity here for the next generation and protect the green belt of Bangalore Metropolitan City. However, efforts are being made to cut down trees here and undertake various construction works. This needs to be curbed and biodiversity needs to be preserved. Therefore, the feasibility of declaring this green campus of Bangalore University as a heritage site under the Biodiversity Act-2002 should be examined, he had instructed. Accordingly, the Forest Department has made preparations. The number of trees and plants in Jnanabharathi, their species, medicinal plants, how much carbon they absorb and release oxygen, details of animals and birds there, butterflies, insects, water sources will be examined keeping all these factors in mind.
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.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
State leads in elephant conservation, innovative conflict solutions: Minister
Hassan: Karnataka is at the forefront in the country when it comes to capturing and training elephants, according to the minister of forest, Eshwar B Khandre. Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Elephant Task Force office building in Bikkodu, Belur taluk, the minister said that due to the strict implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act, there was an increase in the numbers of wildlife. Karnataka ranks number one in elephant population with 6,395 elephants. Therefore, there is a need to find a permanent solution to human-wildlife conflict, he Hassan district, over the past 20 years, the problem of elephants increased. Even after being relocated, they return. There are 50-60 elephants in the plantations of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu also facing the same issue, he added. Since the forests and plantations in this region are similar, elephants roam freely, and thus various measures like railway barricades, elephant trenches, and solar fences have been implemented to prevent elephants from entering human settlements, he were given to capture elephants troubling people in Hassan district, and the forest department is successfully capturing elephants, he stated. In Bikkodu, where the elephant problem is severe, an elephant task force camp should be established. An officer of DCF rank should monitor elephant movements and provide timely information to the public. A temporary camp is already in place, and now a building is being constructed, he concept of Elephant Sanctuary The concept of an Elephant Sanctuary or Soft Release Center is a new experiment being implemented for the first time in Karnataka. While 80% of officials believe it will effectively solve the elephant problem, 20% do not consider it a suitable measure. State govt has taken steps to implement this new experiment, he said. Tenders will be called within 15-20 days for establishing the Elephant Sanctuary, and the foundation stone will be laid within two months to start the work, Khandre coexistence essential In the current scenario, it is necessary to raise awareness among people living on the forest fringes about coexisting with wildlife. At the same time, it is essential to prevent damage to farmers' crops and loss of valuable lives. The forest department will carry out this task sincerely, he informed.
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No encroachments will be tolerated in Nagarahole: Karnataka forest minister
BENGALURU: Karnataka Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Eshwar B Khandre on Thursday said that if people are allowed to stay inside forests, it will effect the natural habitat of tigers, elephants and other wildlife and will lead to further conflict. Taking note of the 52 families forcefully entering Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on Monday and Tuesday and building huts and shed, Khandre said there are some group of people who are inciting them and spreading false news about retired and serving forest department officials, NGOs and experts. He said the rights of the people who are now asserting their rights on forest land in Nagrahole have been dismissed. They should approach the legal authorities, he said. Khandre directed the forest department officials to submit a report on the chronology of the incident and all other details within two days, along with the court judgments regarding the rights over forest lands. Speaking at the sidelines of the release of two books- Nagarahole- A Wild Paradise and Wildlife Forensic Evidence Collection Guide- by Kali Tiger Reserve- in Bengaluru, Khandre said, 'No sort of encroachment will be allowed and action will be taken against the encroachers. There is zero tolerance to encroachments and people instead of writing to forest department, they should file appeals in courts,' he said. Pertaining to the felling of trees, Khandre said there is a need to amend the Tree Preservation Act to take strict action against those illegally felling trees in government lands, forest land and road sides. Citing the recent Supreme Court orders where the court took objection to tree felling, Khandre said, 'there is increasing outcry among people over permissions being given to axe hundreds of trees in the name of development.' The minister directed all government authorities not to give unnecessary permissions to cut down trees.
