BENGALURU, 16 JULY

AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala has lauded Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre for his initiative in protecting forest land under the possession of HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools), which was being eyed by real estate interests, and for proposing to develop it into a botanical garden on the lines of Lalbagh.

Speaking to the media after meeting Surjewala, Minister Khandre said they discussed the central government’s decision to sell about 160 acres of forest land, including to private real estate companies and other entities.

Surjewala, who was briefed on the State government decision, tweeted that while the Karnataka government is trying to preserve the area as a biodiversity park, the BJP and JD(S) are conspiring to turn it into a real estate venture.

"Why are the Modi government and Kumaraswamy opposing the development of a new biodiversity park in the heart of Bengaluru? Is the real estate business more appealing to the BJP and JD(S) than increasing the green cover of Bengaluru?" he tweeted.

"The factory has been shut down for the last 15 years. The Union Heavy Industries Minister is Kumaraswamy. They sold 160 acres earlier. On the remaining 280 Acres, Karnataka Govt and Forest Department want to make a Bio-Diversity Park, like the Cubbon Park, which will be the second set of lungs for Bengaluru," he said.