Latest news with #Khandre
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka government to study carrying capacity of Western Ghats
Bengaluru: In a move to safeguard the bio-diversity of the Western Ghats, the state govt has decided to assess the carrying capacity of the fragile mountain range protected as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The decision comes in the wake of back-to-back incidents of landslides in various parts of the region in the state during the pre-monsoon rain. In a written direction to the additional chief secretary (forest, environment and ecology), forest minister Eshwar Khandre said, "Several scientists have expressed concerns that the Western Ghats region is threatened by several linear projects, including the widening of roads and other infrastructural works. While this caused immense damage to property and resulted in casualties, it also affected the wildlife, according to their reports. They have also cautioned that if the region is degraded, it would result in water scarcity in the coming days." Referring to the possible damage to the mountainous region, Khandre directed forest officials to conduct a detailed study on the region's carrying capacity pertaining to these infrastructure works and submit a report within three months. "A whopping 60% of the forest land of the state is located in the Western Ghats with several endemic flora and faunal species. They play a crucial role in the progress of monsoon winds that bring rain to the hinterland. As we have been planning projects in a sustainable way, we need to assess the carrying capacity of the region as well. Hence, I have directed the ACS and other forest officials to submit a detailed report within three months," Khandre explained. 3 months too short: Greens Hailing the forest minister's decision as significant, conservationists, however, have expressed doubts over the proposed three-month duration of the study, as previous such efforts in some pockets took years. Former Karnataka Western Ghats Task Force chairman Anant Hegde Ashisara said, "Previously, the task force, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science, prepared a report on the carrying capacity of the region in Uttara Kannada district. Then, we recommended that the state govt extend this to other parts of the Western Ghats. We are happy that the govt has realised the importance of the region at least now, and we extend all cooperation for the study. However, the govt must invite all scientists who previously worked in Uttara Kannada, and if need be, it should extend the period for a detailed scientific study." Even though there have been studies previously on the carrying capacity of the Western Ghats, they were focused on a few patches in the backdrop of developmental projects. "Karnataka will be the first state in the country to carry out the study to estimate the carrying capacity of the entire Western Ghats region," Hegde pointed out.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Minister recommends suspension in forest case
disciplinary action Supreme Court plea HMT forest land Indian Forest Service Indian Administrative Service Cabinet approval real estate firms Real estate firms have constructed hundreds of flats on it. This raises serious questions about how such usage was permitted – Eshwar BK, Minister Plan for urban park Karnataka Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre announced that disciplinary action has been recommended against four officials, two retired and two serving officers from the(IFS) and(IAS), for their involvement in the controversial proposal submitted to the Supreme Court withoutKhandre stated that over `14,000 crore worth of HMT land, which falls under forest classification, has not been officially converted for non-forest purposes. 'As per multiple Supreme Court judgments and the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, this land still qualifies as forest. However,have constructed hundreds of flats on it, film and television shoots are being held, and the land is being used for commercial purposes. This raises serious questions about how such usage was permitted,' he asked why no action had been taken seven months after notices were issued to the officials involved, Khandre responded, 'This forest land under HMT is the property of 7 crore Kannadigas. Yet, a few officers, without bringing it to the then Forest Minister's notice or seeking prior Cabinet approval, filed an Interlocutory Application (IA) in the Supreme Court requesting denotification.'He confirmed that notices had been served to four officials and that he had formally recommended action to the Chief Minister, including the suspension of a senior IFS officer. In a related development, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R Gokul has written to the CBI seeking protection, alleging that he is being made a scapegoat for penalising ruling party MLAs in the Belikeri illegal mining case. Responding to this, Khandre dismissed Gokul's claims as 'completely false accusations against the government.'The Minister revealed that he had written to the Additional Chief Secretary on September 24, 2024, instructing that action be taken against the officials who filed the IA without Cabinet approval. The Belikeri judgment was handed down a month later, in October 2024. 'Gokul is now levelling false charges against the government to cover up his misconduct. This can be seen as either misbehaviour or an intimidation tactic,' said also revealed that he inspected the HMT land and found around 280 acres of dense forest still intact. 'Despite this, the IA submitted to the Supreme Court a false claim that the land had lost its forest characteristics. If Gokul truly believed in the sanctity of the land, why didn't he write to the Chief Minister instead of the CBI?' he questioned.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Senior Karnataka officials may face action over HMT land denotification
Bengaluru: In a twist to the denotification of HMT land at Peenya and Jalahalli, forest minister Eshwar Khandre has recommended that chief minister Siddaramaiah initiate action against two senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers and sought disciplinary action against two retired IAS/IFS officials. The forest minister alleged that the current and former bureaucrats were responsible for filing an interlocutory application (IA) before the Supreme Court seeking to denotify 443.6 acres of forest land worth over Rs 14,000 crore. Confirming the recommendation, Khandre told the media Friday that he had previously served notices to those IFS/IAS officers and based on their reply, he recommended action against them. "The land, currently under the possession of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), was never converted for non-forest purposes. Hence, as per the apex court verdict, a forest land will always remain a forest land. However, the forest land at Peenya is alienated, real estate firms have built several apartments, and shooting of teleserials and films is happening. The question is how this forest land is being used for commercial purposes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo " The minister served a show cause notice to the bureaucrats in Nov 2024. Defending his action, Khandre clarified, "The forest land belongs to seven crore Kannadigas. But a few officials filed IA before the Supreme Court seeking denotification of the forest land, neither bringing it to the notice of the forest minister nor obtaining permission of the state cabinet. Hence, notices were served to two serving IFS officers and two retired IAS/IFS officials. Based on their responses, I have recommended action against those officials." However, a copy of the reply from one of the IFS officials, R Gokul, who is currently serving as additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF) EMPRI, surfaced Thursday. The officer wrote to CBI seeking protection while alleging victimisation by the state govt as he was a prosecution witness in an illegal mining scam resulting in the conviction of Congress MLA Satish Sail. Responding to the development, minister Khandre said, "This is entirely a baseless accusation against the state govt. " The forest minister said, "Gokul has written to CBI to cover up his misdeeds by falsely accusing the state govt. This amounts to misconduct of the official or blackmailing of the state govt." Khandre also clarified that contrary to the recommendations of the IFS officers that the land has lost features of a forest, there is still 280 acres of forest plantation at the place. "What was the need for the officer to submit false information to the Supreme Court when there were so many forest features at the place? Rather than writing to CBI for protection now, he could have written directly to the CM," Khandre questioned. The minister said, "I have recommended suspension of Gokul and recommended departmental action against another serving IFS officer along with retired IAS/IFS officers as per the rules."
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
HMT land: Minister seeks suspension of senior IFS officer
Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday recommended the suspension of two serving IFS officers, including Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R. Gokul, in connection with a case filed in the Supreme Court seeking permission to denotify HMT forest land valued over ₹14,000 crore. In addition, he has also recommended action against two retired bureaucrats under service rules. Mr. Khandre told reporters that the land which is under HMT's control has not been legally converted for non-forest purposes, and therefore, as per various Supreme Court judgments and the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, the land remains classified as forest. He added that despite this the land has been encroached upon and real estate companies have built hundreds of flats. Besides film shoots have taken place on the HMT land. To a question on why no action had been taken in the past seven months since notices were issued to the officials in the IA filing case which was done without Cabinet approval, the Minister said: 'A few officers submitted the IA without bringing it to the attention of the then Forest Minister or obtaining Cabinet approval. Notices were issued to four officers (two retired and two serving), and a recommendation has been made to the Chief Minister for further action.' IFS officer writes to CBI Mr. Gokul had reportedly written to the CBI seeking protection and claimed that he was being made a 'scapegoat' for taking action against Congress MLAs in the Belekeri case. The Minister denied the allegations by the senior IFS officer and said that on September 24, 2024, he sent a written note to the Additional Chief Secretary, to issue notices and take action against officials who filed the IA without prior cabinet approval. 'A month later, in October 2024, the Belikeri verdict came out. Mr. Gokul, to cover his own misdeeds, falsely accused the government in a letter to the CBI,' he said. Mr. Khandre said he has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recommending suspension of Mr. Gokul and to order a departmental inquiry against another officer.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Minister suggests action against four officials over bid to denotify forest land
Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre said he has recommended action against two retired officers and two serving Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, including the suspension of Additional Chief Principal Conservator of Forests R Gokul, in connection with the controversial attempt to denotify forest land held by Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) in the media in Bengaluru, Khandre stated that although the land is currently under HMT's possession, it has not been converted to non-forest use and therefore continues to be classified as forest land as per the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and various Supreme Court judgments. Despite this, the land has been alienated and is being used for commercial purposes, including the construction of residential complexes and film and television shoots. 'How this was allowed is questionable,' he to a question on the lack of action for seven months after notices were issued to officials involved in submitting an interlocutory application (IA) before the Supreme Court without cabinet approval, Khandre criticised the officials for bypassing protocol. 'This forest land is the property of seven crore Kannadigas. Yet, a few officials did not even bring the matter to the attention of the then forest minister and sought denotification without obtaining the cabinet's prior approval," he said. He added that he had issued notices to four officers, including two retired and two serving ones, and had recommended disciplinary action to the Chief Minister. In a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Gokul alleged he was being targeted for securing punishment against ruling party legislators in the Belikeri port illegal iron ore export case. However, Khandre dismissed this as false. 'On September 24, 2024, I sent a written note to the Additional Chief Secretary, asking for a show-cause notice and action against those officers who issued the IA without cabinet approval. The Belikeri judgment came a month later, in October 2024. Gokul's letter to the CBI is an attempt to cover up his own actions, and may even amount to misconduct or a threat tactic,' the Minister who personally visited the area, said 280 acres of plantation still exists on the land. He said the IA submitted to the Supreme Court falsely claimed that the land no longer qualified as forest. 'If there is forest on the land, why did the officer not write to the Chief Minister instead of the CBI? One cannot claim in court that the land has lost forest status just to file an IA,' he further pointed out that a high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary was formed in 2015 to examine forest land under institutional control in Bengaluru. 'But without even informing the committee, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court on June 20, 2020, seeking denotification. In just 25 days, on July 15, 2020, a high-level meeting instructed the Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, to submit a proposal to the cabinet after seeking the Advocate General's opinion on whether land granted to institutions before 1980 could be denotified. However, no ex-post facto approval was taken for this decision,' he said a file has now been submitted to the Chief Minister recommending the suspension of Gokul and an inquiry, a departmental probe against another serving officer, and appropriate action under service rules against the two retired officers — one from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and another from the also clarified that the government had filed an application in the Supreme Court to withdraw the IA once the issue came to light, and that cabinet approval has been obtained for the the Minister revealed that the government intends to develop a large park on the forest land held by HMT in north Bengaluru. 'We want to preserve breathing space for future generations,' Khandre said, noting that he had made this intention clear even before the IA withdrawal was initiated in the Supreme Court. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
