Urgent Call to Restore Our Verdant Heritage: Reclaiming Encroached Forest Land in the Western Ghats with Determination – Khandre

Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has issued a stern directive for action against illegal developments in the Western Ghats region. He has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department to eliminate all encroached forest lands since 2015 in districts like Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Mysuru, and others. The Minister emphasized that strict measures should be taken against unauthorized layouts, plantations, homestays, and resorts, with an action-taken report to be submitted within a month.

This urgent call comes in the wake of recent landslides and floods in Shirur and Wayanad, which have resulted in tragic loss of lives. Khandre highlighted that these incidents serve as a wake-up call for Karnataka, underscoring the need to protect the Western Ghats.

He stressed that these disasters are linked to unscientific hill cutting and road construction, and pointed out the risks posed by heavy vehicular traffic in the region. With thousands visiting the Ghats for tourism and trekking, Khandre warned that trekking activities might need to be suspended to mitigate further dangers.

Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/recover-encroached-forest-land-in-western-ghats-region-khandre/article68476922.ece
Category : Karnataka
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