Bengaluru, August 20, 2024 – Bengaluru is set to enhance its green spaces with the development of a new forest park and aviary on 17 acres of land in Kothanur, recently reclaimed from encroachment. Valued at approximately Rs 500 crore, this land, originally designated as a forest area in 2006, had been overtaken by encroachers, leading to a significant legal battle for its reclamation.
The new forest park will provide a crucial green space for city residents, while the aviary will feature a large, tree-filled enclosure for various bird species. The reclamation of the land was finalized in January 2023 after successful legal proceedings in the High Court and Supreme Court, marking a major step towards restoring the area’s ecological value. Local residents have welcomed the project, which promises recreational and educational benefits.
Key Developments:
- New Project: Forest park and aviary on 17 acres in Kothanur
- Value: Approximately Rs 500 crore
- Reclamation: Finalized in January 2023
- Features: Green space, large aviary with diverse bird species
In related news, the forest department is also focusing on reclaiming forest land in Peenya, valued at over Rs 10,000 crore. This effort has sparked political controversy. Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy has defended the status of HMT’s land, while Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre insists on reclaiming it, citing its historical designation as forest land under the Forest Act of 1878.
Political Controversy:
- Dispute: Land reclamation in Peenya Industrial Area
- Value: Over Rs 10,000 crore
- Ministerial Stance: Khandre’s directive for reclamation vs. Kumaraswamy’s defense of HMT
Khandre has criticized the inaction of forest officials and ordered the reclamation of 281 acres from a 599-acre plot, urging an investigation and withdrawal of the 2020 interim application to remove the land’s forest designation.
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