Author: Chiranjeevi Kulkarni
The deadline to respond to the sixth draft notification for the Western Ghats eco-sensitive area (ESA) is looming, with civil society organizations and activists expressing concerns over misinformation and the state government’s rejection of the notification. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change proposed 56,825.7 sq km in six states as ESA, with Karnataka accounting for 20,668 sq km in 10 districts. Activists like Nirmala Gowda and Sharada Gopal highlighted the lack of clarity and the language barrier in the notification, leading to widespread misinformation. They emphasized the need for proper consultation with local communities and the implementation of…
The deadline for feedback on declaring the eco sensitive zone (ESZ) in Western Ghats is nearing, with the Centre setting September 27 as the last date for inputs from the states. Karnataka is gearing up for a stakeholder meeting on September 19 to discuss the matter with leaders from the 10 Ghats districts. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has put forth the proposal to designate 20,668 sq km in 10 districts of Karnataka as ESZ, as part of the sixth draft notification issued on July 31. State Minister Eshwar Khandre will be meeting with people’s representatives…
In an ongoing battle to protect forest land in Uttara Kannada’s Dandeli, the Forest Department succeeded in partially vacating a resort that had encroached on 1 acre 33 gunta of land. The legal tussle began in 2018 when the Dandeli range forest officer discovered a saw mill machine and logs at Whistling Woodz resort and later cancelled its license. Despite the resort owner’s claims of owning the land legally, a joint survey revealed that they had encroached upon 1 acre 14 gunta of forest area. The Karnataka High Court upheld the decision, allowing the resort to operate on a converted…
In Bengaluru, a once barren government plot in Haralur has been transformed into a lush 10-acre urban forest brimming with biodiversity. Initiated by retired forest officer AN Yellappa Reddy and local residents, over 5,000 saplings were planted to create a thriving green lung space. The project, which removed truckloads of garbage and construction waste, now stands as a model of successful urban forestry. Following the success in Haralur, the Bengaluru Police Department has also adopted this initiative to reclaim a 10-acre wasteland near the Chamundeshwari Police Quarters. With the support of private companies and local communities, over 4,500 saplings and…
In a recent development, the Karnataka government has penalized a former deputy conservator of forests, M L Manjunath, for allowing the illegal felling of nearly 800 trees in Madikeri division. The incident, which took place five years ago, resulted in Manjunath being suspended after issuing permits for tree cutting in K Nidugane village. An inquiry launched in July 2021 confirmed the allegations, leading to a penalty order issued on August 20, 2024. The government decided to deduct 5% of Manjunath’s pension for two years due to his proven negligence. Despite the land being classified as ‘Bane’ land and requiring clearance…
The rampant illegal mining in four districts of Karnataka has led to the loss of a staggering 4,228.81 acres of forest over the past 14 years, with Ballari district bearing the brunt. A recent RTI revelation shows that 60 mining projects were approved in these districts between 2010 and March 2024, leading to the destruction of vast forest lands. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) conducted a study that highlighted the extent of forest destruction caused by mining activities. The consequences are far-reaching, with a significant impact on wildlife, livelihoods, and public health. Air pollution from mining…
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a proactive stance on the issue of forest encroachment in Bengaluru urban district. Following a report by DH highlighting the recovery of 101 acres of forest land from encroachers, the tribunal has issued notices to the forest department, Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner, and the Union environment ministry. With around 2000 acres of forest land currently under encroachment out of the total 24,690 acres in Bengaluru Urban district, the tribunal has raised concerns about government agencies being involved in some of the encroachment cases. In response to the situation, the tribunal has initiated a…
The Forest Department in Hassan is facing a crisis as quarries are blasting through 400 acres of deemed forests in the region. This area is known for man-animal conflicts and has been identified as a landslide-prone zone by Isro. Documents obtained by DH reveal that quarries in Arsikere and Channarayapatna taluks, totaling 400.16 acres of forest land, were ordered to suspend operations in February 2024. Despite this, a letter from the Mines and Geology Department instructed quarry license holders to resume mining in July 2024, in violation of the forest declaration. The decision to allow quarrying in deemed forest areas…
Amidst the rainy weather in Meppadi, emergency response teams are tirelessly working to recover bodies and search for missing persons after landslides and floods ravaged the area. With the death toll rising to 217 and around 200 individuals still unaccounted for, the focus remains on rescue efforts. The construction of a Bailey bridge by the Army has allowed for better access to affected areas, aiding in the transportation of heavy equipment. Cleanup operations are also underway to remove plastic and other debris left behind by the disaster. In a bid to handle the disposal of bodies, the Kerala government has…
The State Board of Wildlife: Political Considerations vs Environmental Concerns Amidst the increasing man-animal conflicts in Karnataka, the establishment of the State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) has raised questions about whether political interests are overshadowing environmental conservation. The SBWL’s primary role is to oversee protected areas and assess projects proposed by public and private entities to ensure that wildlife conservation remains a priority amid development activities. However, concerns have been raised regarding the composition of the SBWL, with many key positions filled by individuals with political affiliations rather than expertise in wildlife conservation. This has sparked criticism from conservationists and…