Bengaluru: In a significant move to protect Bangalore’s green spaces, the city has reclaimed 103 acres of forest land from encroachers over the last year. This land, valued at nearly Rs 3,000 crores, was recovered as part of an extensive operation led by the Forest Department, according to Forest Minister Eshwara Khandre.
After securing the land, authorities swiftly began reforestation efforts by planting saplings on the reclaimed plots. Minister Khandre emphasised that similar drives are underway across various parts of the city, with forest restoration and afforestation projects operational in full swing.
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು ₹3,000 ಕೋಟಿ ಮೌಲ್ಯದ 103 ಎಕರೆ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿ ಒತ್ತುವರಿಯನ್ನು ತೆರವು ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಈಶ್ವರ ಖಂಡ್ರೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ತೆರವು ಮಾಡಲಾದ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಸಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೆಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಮೂಲಕ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಬೆಳೆಸುವ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಚಾಲನೆ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದೇ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷದ… pic.twitter.com/fkZSux4ijd
— DIPR Karnataka (@KarnatakaVarthe) October 21, 2024
Over 2 acres of forest land reclaimed near Marasandra, Yelahanka
Notably in a related development, the Forest Department on Sunday announced that it has successfully reclaimed over two acres of forest land near Marasandra, Yelahanka, valued at over Rs 40 crore. The operation, announced by Environment Minister Eashwar Khandre on the weekend, is a part of the government’s ongoing efforts to recover encroached forest areas.
The land, identified under survey number 182, was illegally occupied by a man named Bhairareddy. Following the discovery, an FIR was filed against him, and forest officials from Bengaluru urban district promptly took action to reclaim the 2.10 acres within the reserved forest area.
Plans to plant native tree species
As part of their conservation efforts, the department plans to rejuvenate the area by planting native tree species, restoring it to its natural state. This recovery is just one of several recent efforts by the department. Other notable recoveries include 27.2 acres in BM Kaval under the Kaggalipura Range, 16.9 acres in Mylasandra and Kenchenahalli under the Turahalli Range, and 2.5 acres in the Sulikere reserve forest. The collective value of these recovered lands exceeds Rs 3,000 crore.
Additionally, the department is working on legal proceedings to reclaim another 22 acres and eight guntas of forest land in Kothanur, which alone is valued at Rs 700 crore.