https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Karnataka Government Intensifies Forest Encroachment Eviction Drive, Sets Annual Targets for IFS Officers – Details Inside

The intensified crackdown comes after the approval of the Karnataka State Action Plan on Climate Change in February 2024, which considers the reclamation of encroached forest land as a Key Performance Indicator
Indian Masterminds Stories

The Karnataka government has adopted a firm stance on evicting encroachments from forest land across the state, unveiling a robust strategy aimed at tackling land-grabbing activities. The Forest Department has now made Deputy Conservators of Forests (DCFs) at the district level and Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs) at the circle level directly responsible for clearing encroachments, with annual targets to be reviewed monthly by the Chief Secretary.

Also Read: Delhi Forest Department Reveals Fake Tree-Cutting Permission in Ridge Area Before Supreme Court – Know the Matter

Targets Linked to Climate Change Goals

The intensified crackdown comes after the approval of the Karnataka State Action Plan on Climate Change in February 2024, which considers the reclamation of encroached forest land as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI). Acting on this framework, Ms. Meenakshi Negi (1989-batch IFS officer), the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and head of the forest force, has issued firm instructions to all DCFs and CCFs to prioritise encroachment eviction drives.

The PCCF has set an annual target of reclaiming at least 10,000 acres of encroached forest land statewide. According to government data, over 2.15 lakh acres of forest land have been encroached upon, with the highest concentration in Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, and Bengaluru districts—also assigned the largest clearance targets.

Accountability Yet to Be Fixed on Non-Performing Officers

While conservationists have welcomed the government’s renewed push, they have criticised the Forest Department for not ensuring accountability for non-performance. A local highlighted a case in the Kakati range, where seven encroachments flagged between November 2023 and January 2024 went unaddressed for over a year. Notices were issued only after the responsible officers were transferred—and even then, no punitive action was taken. Shockingly, some of the negligent officers were reportedly promoted.

Forest Minister Assures Monitoring and Future Accountability Measures

Responding to the criticism, Forest Minister Mr. Eshwar Khandre stated that he is personally monitoring eviction efforts. He acknowledged systemic lapses, admitting that many officials fail to follow up after eviction, particularly in notifying reclaimed lands as reserve forests under Section 4 of the Karnataka Forest Act.

“If officials complete these Section 4 formalities, we can reclaim nearly one lakh hectares of forest land,” said Mr. Khandre. He added that discussions are underway to explore mechanisms for holding officers accountable for failing to meet eviction targets.

The minister’s statement signals a growing realisation that enforcement without accountability may only yield partial success in Karnataka’s forest conservation mission.

Also Read: IFS Officer Susanta Nanda Shares Heartwarming Video of Elephant Calf ‘Chhotu’ Showering Affection, the Internet is Smitten!


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
T-SATS defence innovation
CDS Inaugurates Tri Services Academia Technology Symposium (T-SATS) to Boost Defence Innovation and Collaboration with Academia
SPARSH defence pension
SPARSH Transforms Defence Pension Management: Resolves 87% Legacy Cases, Cuts Grievance Redressal Time by 64%
Gujarat folk art PM mementos
Gujarat Showcases Iconic Folk Art in 7th PM Mementos e-Auction Supporting Namami Gange
Vandana Gupta
Who is Vandana Gupta? Senior IP&TAFS Officer Takes Charge as Controller General of Communication Accounts
COAL-GST
Coal Sector Gets a Boost: GST Reforms Remove Compensation Cess, Align With Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision
Pawan-K-Godatwar-696x392
Dr. Pawan K. Godatwar’s Tenure Extended as WHO-SEARO Technical Officer for Traditional Medicine Till 2026
India Morocco defence MoU
India and Morocco Sign Defence Cooperation MoU to Boost Strategic, Industrial, and Maritime Ties
Swati Gupta PCS officer
Who Is Swati Gupta? Meet the UP PCS Officer, Tech Graduate, and Viral Social Media Influencer – Why She’s Trending for Facebook Fame
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Devanshu Shivhare MPPSC
How This Commercial Tax Inspector Topped MPPSC 2024: Devanshu Shivhare’s 5-Year Journey to Rank 1 | Exclusive Interview
Devanshu Shivhare secured AIR 1 in MPPSC 2024 in his fourth attempt while working full-time. His disciplined,...
Ishwarlal Gurjar UPSC
10th Grade Failure to Indian Police Service: Ishwarlal Gurjar’s UPSC Success Path
Read the inspiring journey of Ishwarlal Gurjar from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming an IPS officer....
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
T-SATS defence innovation
CDS Inaugurates Tri Services Academia Technology Symposium (T-SATS) to Boost Defence Innovation and Collaboration with Academia
SPARSH defence pension
SPARSH Transforms Defence Pension Management: Resolves 87% Legacy Cases, Cuts Grievance Redressal Time by 64%
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT