Encroachers erect stone pillars on forest land; officials to act

Bengaluru: While a joint inspection by the Deputy Commissioners of Forest Department and Revenue Department is yet to start in survey number 69, Shivanahalli, it is now reported that the encroachers have erected stone pillars to demarcate the portion of the land they claim is theirs.

Forest Minister Anand Singh took cognisance of the matter and checked it with the Forest Department, it is learnt. According to highly placed sources in the Forest Department, the Minister has been apprised of the issue by the Chief Conservator Of Forest (CCF) and the Range Forest Officer (RFO) Krishna would demolish the stone pillars and arrest those found to be Impeding the Forest Department operation.

A whistle-blower told this reporter that the stone pillars were erected after a senior Forest official with the Bangalore South division had colluded with the culprits.

"He had not only instigated the culprits to do this but had also given them a sketch as to where the pillars could be placed. This is against all conservation initiatives and more so as this land is right in the middle of the elephant corridor and less than 200 meters from the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP)," the whistle-blower said.

On November 19, the Forest officials had an altercation with the encroachers, who allegedly usurped the land. The Forest department staff had ordered them not to occupy the land till a joint survey by the DC, Forest and Revenue departments was conducted.

A few days ago, a letter was sent to Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Ecology Department, Siddharth Goenka, member of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board about the repeated episodes of attempted encroachments in survey number 69, Shivanahalli.

Calls made to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Sanjay Mohan were unanswered.

The Hans India has reported the issue earlier on September 25 and November 22.