Tumakuru, 3 July

Forest, Zoology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre announced the clearance of 300 acres of encroached land in the Bukkapatna Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary worth Rs 100 crore, located within the Muttugadahalli Reserved Forest under Tiptur subdivision, Tumakuru district.

The cleared area includes 209 acres of forest land and land previously transferred from the Forest Department to the Horticulture Department.

The Minister stated that in 1926, under the Mysore Forest Acts, the Mysore Maharajas had allocated land in Survey No. 46 of Muttugadahalli Ambarapura to the Forest Department. However, portions of this land were illegally sanctioned to private individuals, while others encroached upon it. Following a legal case, the Karnataka High Court ruled that the land must be retained as forest.

Chief Conservator of Forests Yedukondalu V told Salar News that around 20 years ago approximately 65 to 70 people encroached on forest land. The Additional Commissioner had previously issued an order regarding this matter.

Due to inaction by revenue officials in cancelling illegal grants, a complaint was submitted to the Lokayukta. Acting on its directive, the land has now been officially restored to the Forest Department, and all encroachments removed.

The clearance operation was led by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Hassan-Tumakuru Division, with support from the Police Department.

Minister Khandre stressed that forest land must remain protected unless lawfully reclassified and urged both officials and the public to uphold this commitment.