Latest news with #EshwarKhandre
Hans India
a day ago
- Health
- Hans India
Coast ready to green western Ghats region
Mangaluru: Following the alarming degeneration of green cover over the coast due to various infrastructure projects including the Nethravati diversion project (touted as Yettinahole), the development of three national highways, power lines and petroleum and chemical pipelines the forest department has begun bringing green cover back to its pristine self in urban, rural, and western ghats area all along the coast. Over 1.5 crore saplings have been readied at 16 major nurseries in three coastal districts of the forest department. Out of this at least 5 per cent have been reserved for tree planting projects taken up as the corporate social responsibility of various corporate bodies like MRPL, OMPL, SEZ, UPCL, Ports at Mangaluru, Udupi and Karwar, vital installations like Navy and Nuclear Power Corporation Limited at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada. In addition, 7-8 per cent will be planted under the Koti Vriksha project of the government which the schools and educational institutions execute and the rest will be planted by the forest department in various reserve forests, western ghats pockets, wildlife divisions, national parks that borders Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu. 'We know due to many infrastructure projects we have lost so much green cover, but we have readied the nurseries in the forest department to plant four trees for every tree lost during the project execution in the western ghats and the coastal region. It is not only compensatory forest development but also extensive forest development coupled with a concentration in the areas where the trees were cut' forest officials told Hans India. The forest department officials in three districts say that all the local and western Ghats endemic species have been developed. Range Forest Officers of 16 ranges across the coastal districts told Hans India that all the greening of the Western Ghats is happening on the seaside face of the Western Ghats the department has over 70 small, medium and big nurseries of Mangaluru range Forest minister of Karnataka Eshwar Khandre told Hans India that 'many flowering, shade-giving, berry yielding and tree species have been selected, which are in fact included in the plant and tree diversity of the Western Ghats. 28 species of saplings including Kakke, Holay Dasavala, Rosi Owlanda, Nerale (blueberries) Ranje, Ashoka, Jack, wild jack, wild Mangoes, Mahagoni, Pepul, wild fig have been selected for planting in the forests, The world environment day is a special day for the entire world, we in Karnataka government are taking it to the next level, knowing well that we have one of 18 biodiversity spots in the world in the western ghats' the minister told. Officials at the New Delhi-based Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA) told Hans India that the time has come to consciously protect plant diversity and not get lost in the melee of commercial propagation of plants in unlikely regions. Ever since agriculture came to be practised for the survival of Human beings 20,000 years back, plant diversity has been the object of study. Modern scientific findings have established that there are 49,000 species, out of which 3900 species have been used for human consumption and 3000 for Medicinal purposes. But in pursuit of developing cities and concrete jungles, we have destroyed many species, but now the time has come for us to protect the ones we are left with, fortunately, India is one among the 17 countries that share top plant diversity and our farmers have protected it to the maximum extent possible the plant scientists at the Authority told. The most happening areas in this unique green drive were Reserve Forests like Kanakamajalu, Kannadka and Periyabaney where the department has identified several types of bamboo and canes in over 75 hectares. All bamboo varieties are good for soil conservation, rain, several species of wildlife habitat and also for commercial value. The Kanakamajalu range forest nursery has readied 2,75,000 saplings of western ghats endemic varieties out of which 40,000 will be reserved for public distribution.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Forest officials reclaim 43 acres of encroached forest land around Bhadra Tiger Reserve
In a major encroachment eviction drive at Chikkamagaluru, around Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Karnataka forest department officials on Tuesday reclaimed 43 acres of forest land that was encroached upon by a coffee planter. Sources in the forest department revealed that this was one of the biggest recoveries of encroached forest land in recent months at Chikkamagaluru. Sources in the forest department revealed that 43 acres of forest land on survey number 43 of Kesavina Mane village under Muttodi forest range of Bhadra Tiger Reserve was encroached upon by a coffee planter, by cultivating coffee plants. A case was also registered in 2022-23 under various provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Despite the case and repeated instructions to clear the encroachment, illegal occupation of the land continued at the site, according to officials. However, recently the case came up for arguments at the court of assistant conservator of forests (ACF), presided over by ACF Shivarathreeshwara, and the court was convinced about the encroachment. "The court gave the encroachers one month's time to clear the encroachment and hand over the land. However, there was no action by the encroachers to clear the encroachment over the last month. Hence, the department took up an eviction drive three days ago," a senior official from the Bhadra Tiger Reserve explained. Acting tough on the forest encroachers, Karnataka forest minister Eshwar Khandre recently ordered forest officials to crack down on forest encroachers and to not yield to political pressure. Subsequently, there were several reports of rampant encroachment of forest land around the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, especially by prominent people. "Despite the mounting pressure, forest officials successfully evicted the encroachment and recovered the forest land. This will help conservation of flora and fauna at the tiger reserve," exclaimed a conservation activist from Chikkamagaluru. Armed with tree-cutting machines and other equipment, forest officials over the last three days axed several coffee plants and cleared the encroachment on forest land. Guided by Chikkamagaluru circle conservator of forests Yashpal Kshirsagar, the encroachment drive was led by Bhadra Tiger Reserve DCF Pulkit Meena, ACF Shivarathreeshwara, and other range officials of Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
10k foresters in Karnataka to receive KSDL kits
Mysuru: In recognition of their role in forest protection, 10,000 forest guards/watchers, mahouts, and drivers in Karnataka will receive quality kits containing a bag, jerkin, shoes, and a water bottle from Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL). The first event of this CSR initiative will be held at the convocation hall of Karnataka State Open University in Mysuru on Wednesday, stated large and medium industries minister MB Patil in a release. The minister said that KSDL's CSR fund of Rs 2 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year was utilised to purchase these kits. The essential ingredient for KSDL's flagship product, Mysore Sandal soap, is sandalwood oil. Forest guards are the protectors of this resource, and this initiative reflects our concern for them, he said. The kits will be distributed to 2,168 personnel from the forest divisions of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts. Forest minister Eshwar Khandre and KSDL chairman CS Nadagouda, along with local representatives, will be present during the event. Patil mentioned that kits will also be distributed to staff working in other forest areas in Karnataka in the coming days. Measurements were taken in advance from each recipient to purchase the jerkins and shoes. Among them, 5,000 are permanent staff, while the rest work on a temporary basis. Ensuring their welfare is our responsibility, he said.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru set to get its third major park in Yelahanka after 150 years: Report
Bengaluru is all set to welcome its third major green lung after a century and a half, with a new ecological park planned in the fast-growing northern region of the city. According to a report by Deccan Herald, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Monday announced the creation of a large public park in Madappanahalli near Yelahanka. Spread across 153 acres and 39 guntas of reclaimed land, the project marks the city's first major green space since the establishment of Cubbon Park during the colonial era, the report added. (Also Read: Where to watch RCB vs PBKS IPL final live in Bengaluru: Top 5 screening spots) 'This is a historic moment for Bengaluru. After 150 years, the city will get a new tree park that will serve as a vital lung space for its expanding northern corridor,' Khandre said as per the publication. The land, leased to Karnataka Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) in 1988, was primarily used for eucalyptus plantations. It will now be restored using native tree species, with inputs from senior forest officers and ecologists. The minister said that a detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared in two months, following which tenders would be issued. The government has allocated ₹20 crore for the development of the park, with additional support expected through corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships. Drawing comparisons with the city's iconic green spaces, Khandre recalled how Cubbon Park, spread over 197 acres, was designed by Major Richard Sankey in 1870, while Lalbagh, dating back to Kempegowda's time and later expanded by Hyder Ali in the 18th century, remains another vital green landmark. Senior officials, including Meenakshi Negi (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force) and PCCF (Wildlife) Subhash K Malkhede, suggested using successful models like the Kalkere arboretum, bio parks, and Miyawaki forests as references for species selection. They also recommended incorporating medicinal plants to enhance the park's ecological and educational value, the report further added. With this initiative, Bengaluru will see a major addition to its depleted green cover. (Also Read: Virat Kohli's One8 Commune faces FIR in Bengaluru for smoking zone violation)
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
After a century, Bengaluru set to get new biodiversity park
Bengaluru: After over a century since the formation of Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Sri Chamarajendra Park (Cubbon Park), Bengaluru is set to get a mega biodiversity park for the public on a sprawling 153.4 acres of Madappanahalli reserve forest area near Yelahanka, which currently has an eucalyptus plantation raised by the KFDC. The forest department, over the next few months, will clear the eucalyptus plantation, plant native tree species in two-and-a-half years, and convert the landscape into a much-needed lung space for growing North Bengaluru. Kickstarting the process of setting up the biodiversity park, the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) on Monday handed over the reserve park back to the forest department in the presence of forest minister Eshwar Khandre. "Long ago, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru, developed a floral park and set up a tower. Subsequently, in 1760, Hyder Ali developed Lalbagh Botanical Garden on 240 acres of land, and the British developed Cubbon Park in 1870 on 197 acres. But since then, Bengaluru has not seen the development of any mega park. After over a year, we are close to seeing the development of yet another mega biodiversity park," he said. Khandre said in a few months, the department will clear eucalyptus, which has already been banned by the govt, and start work on the park. "I have directed the officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) within the legal framework based on suggestions from biodiversity experts and citizens over the next two months. CM Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar will lay the foundation for the park. We have planned to complete the work over the next 2.5 years. The govt has given Rs 20 crore in the first phase," he added. Khandre said there are suggestions to create Basaveshwara medicinal garden, Kempegowda mini zoo, BR Ambedkar aviary, Indira Gandhi biopark, and Saalumarada Thimmakka tree park in the area. "BDA's Shivaram Karanth layout is nearby and the airport is also in the vicinity, and the biopark will be a major attraction in future," he added. Greens bat for lung space During an interaction with locals and forest officials, the minister received responses ranging from setting up an arboretum, germplasm bank on the lines of the famous Kew Gardens of London offering a scientific perspective to students, butterfly park, tree conservation reserve, recreation of Western Ghats species under microclimatic conditions, promotion of ecotourism, and bamboo grove with water bodies. However, conservationists differed with the idea of the govt. "Converting a reserve forest into a tree or biopark involves a lot of legal issues and environmental impacts. The state may have to obtain permission from the Centre. Clearing eucalyptus is a good decision, but at the same time, forest landscapes do not involve human activities, while bioparks involve tourism and human activities. If the govt's intention is to create a lung space, it should retain the landscape as a forest and develop it as a buffer to the nearby Jarakbande Kaval, where there is already thriving wildlife, and only part of this area can be permitted for human activity with temporary structures just like Turahalli forest," said a conservationist from Shivamogga. Braj Kishore Singh, former PCCF, advised the govt that it should regenerate the natural forest with native tree species. "Regeneration of forest in any landscape, especially surrounded by human habitation, will act as a natural lung space. The govt must also consider regeneration of sandalwood in the area." Allaying the concerns, Khandre said: "We will allow only what has been permitted within the reserve forest areas. If need be, we will get clearance from the Centre before chalking out plans. But we will not allow any non-forest activity in the area." Box: IN THE PIPELINE Forest: Madappanahalli Reserve Forest Area: 153.4 acres Location: Madappanahalli-Singanayakanahalli (Yelahanka) Year of notification: 1935 Leased to KFDC: 1988 Expiry of lease: 2016 Withdrawal of the land: 2025 Flora: 800 species of native trees along with lakhs of eucalyptus trees
