Officials remove encroachments on forest land in Hassan on minister's directive

Hassan: Following the instructions of minister Eshwar Khandre, officials cleared 27 acres of encroached forest land in Channarayapatna taluk of Hassan district.

Several individuals illegally occupied 26 acres and 33 guntas of forest land, cutting down trees to create a plantation in Madaba village. Based on complaints received at his office, Khandre had issued clear instructions to take legal action, on Oct 23.

The land is designated as reserved forest, and the forest department filed cases against those who destroyed trees and plants to create plantations.

The officials arrived at the site with JCBs, cleared the forest land, planted saplings, and installed a signboard.

For several years, some individuals created fake documents under the guise of ginger cultivation, seizing forest land, cutting down valuable trees, and later establishing plantations. A few revenue department officials illegally approved forest land.

The clearing of Madaba forest serves as a warning to those who have been encroaching on forest land to create coconut, coffee, and areca nut plantations at will. Chief forest conservator V Yedukondalu and deputy forest conservator Saurabh Kumar led the encroachment clearance operation.