Latest news with #KarnatakaForestDevelopmentCorporation
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
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Anil Kumble nominated as Forest department ambassador: Khandre
Bengaluru: Renowned sportsperson and former cricketer Anil Kumble will be nominated as the Forest and Wildlife Ambassador, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwara B Khandre said. Speaking at a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha Conference Hall on the occasion of completing 2 years since he took oath as a minister, he said that Anil Kumble, who has previously served as the Vice-President of the Karnataka Wildlife Board, is of world-class fame and will create awareness among the public about forest conservation, forest development, tree conservation and wildlife conservation. Anil Kumble has immense concern for wildlife. He has a love for forests. Hence, he has agreed to become an ambassador without receiving any remuneration, Eshwara Khandre clarified. The government has decided to save and develop the breathing spaces in Bangalore and has decided to build another huge park on 153 acres of Madappanahalli near Yelahanka, he said. Lalbagh in Bangalore was built during the time of Hyder Ali, Cubbon Park was built during the British era. Even after a century, another huge park has not been built in Bangalore. Therefore, he said that the 153 acres of land that he gave to the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation for cultivating Nilgiri after becoming the Forest Minister will be taken back to the Forest Department on June 2 and a park will be built there. The world is facing the effects of global warming and climate change. During this period, increasing the green cover is the responsibility of the Forest Conservation and Management Department. In the last 2 years, about 8848 Vanamahotsava have been held, about 8.5 crore saplings have been planted and nurtured in forest areas, roadsides and government land. He gave details that a total of 120975 hectares of plantations, 25 new arboretums and 35 God's forests have been constructed in the years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Eshwar Khandre also said that in the last 2 years, a total of 3.70 crore saplings have been distributed to farmers for planting in their own fields and for planting in other fields. Land is precious in Bengaluru city. Forest land has been encroached here for decades, and in the two years since he became the minister, he said that he has cleared 128 acres of forest land worth about Rs 4000 crore. There is a rare grassland in Heeraghatta in Bengaluru city. It is a breeding ground for hundreds of species of birds, and there was a struggle for decades to save such a beautiful environment. He said that after he became the minister, despite many pressures, he declared 5678 acres of the Greater Heeraghatta Protected Grassland to protect the rare grassland around Hesaraghatta Lake. In the last 2 years, 6251.31 acres of forest worth crores of rupees have been cleared in 1205 encroachment cases. He said that encroachment clearance is a continuous process. There was a demand to start a leopard safari in Bannerghatta National Park, which is located near Bangalore, and he launched it after becoming a minister, and it has become a centre of attraction. He said that the number of tourists visiting the park has increased. As per the recommendations of the district level committees, an area of 3,30,186.93 hectares has been notified as protected forest or deemed forest as per specific sectoral norms. Eshwar Khandre said that since the land identified in this way includes a government office, hospital, and patta land, a request has been made to the Supreme Court and a committee has been formed to revise and submit it, he said. Now is the last chance, and it has been decided to provide compensation by providing alternative land to the area that has already been submitted to the Supreme Court as a protected forest, while maintaining the area of the protected area at 3,30,186.93 hectares. He said that this work is in progress. The central government-owned HMT has been completely banned from selling 444 acres of forest land worth about Rs 14,300 crore to many organizations, including real estate companies. It has been decided to take back this forest land and keep it as a park, and a legal battle has been fought for this, the Forest Minister said.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Anil Kumble to be named Forest and Wildlife ambassador: Karnataka minister
Former cricketer Anil Kumble will be nominated as the Forest and Wildlife Ambassador , Forest, Biology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre said on Tuesday. Addressing reporters, Khandre said Anil Kumble, who previously served as Vice-President of the Karnataka Wildlife Board, is of world-class fame and will help create awareness among the public about forest conservation , forest development, tree preservation, and wildlife conservation . "Anil Kumble has an immense concern for wildlife. He loves forests. Hence, he has agreed to become an ambassador without receiving any remuneration," Khandre said. As Tuesday marked his two years as Forest Minister, Khandre also shared a glimpse of his achievements and future plans. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Public Speaking Course for Children Planet Spark Book Now Undo Khandre said that in the last two years, about 8,848 'vanamahotsavas' have been held, and approximately 8.5 crore saplings have been planted and nurtured in forest areas, along roadsides, and on government land. In the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, a total of 1,20,975 hectares of plantations, 25 new arboretums, and 35 forests have been developed, he added. Live Events Khandre also said that in the last two years, a total of 3.70 crore saplings have been distributed to farmers for planting in their own fields and elsewhere. The minister said the state government has decided to build another major park on 153 acres in Madappanahalli near Yelahanka. "Lalbagh in Bengaluru was built during the time of Hyder Ali; Cubbon Park was built during the British era. Even after a century, another large park has not been built in Bengaluru. Therefore, after I became the Forest Minister, the 153 acres of land that had been given to the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation for growing Nilgiri will be taken back by the Forest Department on June 2, and a park will be built there," he said. The foundation stone for the park will be laid in two months, Khandre told reporters. The minister expressed concern that forest land in Bengaluru has been encroached upon for decades. In the last two years, 128 acres of encroached forest land have been cleared. According to him, the market value of the cleared land is around Rs 4,000 crore. Khandre alleged that the central government-owned HMT has been completely barred from selling 444 acres of forest land-worth about Rs 14,300 crore, that it holds to various organisations, including real estate companies. "It has been decided to reclaim this forest land and preserve it as a park, and a legal battle has been launched. A petition is currently being heard in the Supreme Court," he said.
