Task Force To Clear All Encroachments In Karnataka Forests, Western Ghats: Minister

Eshwar Khandre said the state government has constituted a 'forests and western ghats encroachment clearance task force' to clear illegal resorts, home stays and all forest encroachments in the entire ghat regions of the state.

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Sunday said the state government has constituted a 'forests and western ghats encroachment clearance task force' to clear illegal resorts, home stays and all forest encroachments in the entire ghat regions of the state, including the western ghats, which covers 10 districts.

This task force has been formed under the leadership of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, and it will carry out forest encroachment clearance operations in western ghats and other ghat areas from today itself, the Minister said in a statement.

Eshwar Khandre had on Friday directed the forest department's additional chief secretary to issue orders for the removal of all forest encroachments that have sprung up after 2015 in the western ghats region, and to submit an action taken report in a month's time.