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
CM Hemant Soren
Jharkhand Govt Recognized for its Development Achievements at Rajasthan Business Summit 2025, Investment-Friendly Policies Bear Fruits
MP-Police-
15 Madhya Pradesh SPS Officers from 1997-98 Batch Await Promotion to IPS Cadre; DPC Meeting Pending
BSG Flood Relief Ops
BSF Stands with Punjab: Personnel Extends Lifeline to Flood-Hit Villages in Ferozepur, Protecting lives, Providing Supplies in times of Despair
IPS Shraddha Pandey
Who Is IPS Shraddha Narendra Pandey? Biotechnology Grad to Kanpur SP, Yogi Govt Assigns Big Role
Vikramaditya Vedic yadav
MP: CM Yadav Unveils Vedic Clock App Celebrating 7,000 Years of Hindu Calendar Tradition- Read More
NTPC Green
NTPC Green Energy’s Chief General Manager Manoj Dubey Superannuates After 35 Years in Power Sector
IAS Sakshi Sawhney
Who Is IAS Sakshi Sawhney (UPSC Rank 6)? Amritsar’s First Woman DC Wins Hearts with Flood Relief Work
Delhi High Court-resized-DelhiHC
Delhi High Court Raps Centre, Orders IAF to Fill Vacant Posts With Qualified Woman Candidate
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
Managing Elections, Communal Tensions, and Public Safety – Meet IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
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...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CM Hemant Soren
Jharkhand Govt Recognized for its Development Achievements at Rajasthan Business Summit 2025, Investment-Friendly Policies Bear Fruits
MP-Police-
15 Madhya Pradesh SPS Officers from 1997-98 Batch Await Promotion to IPS Cadre; DPC Meeting Pending
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Dr
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT