Mangaluru: Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed that the government has rejected the Kasturirangan report, citing concerns from the public and uncertainties surrounding the impact on local residents. In his address to journalists at Kukke Subrahmanya, he emphasized that communities living near forest boundaries have been actively involved in conservation efforts for centuries, and that forest protection measures are already in place.
He revealed that the government has officially communicated its decision to the Centre, following requests from citizens and their representatives. A committee has been set up to conduct a joint survey across 31 districts in the state, which is expected to resolve ambiguities between forest and revenue land within six months.
Minister Khandre also assured that facilities for trekkers visiting Kumara Parvatha would be reviewed. He expressed confidence that the state’s forest cover will increase by 2025.
Meanwhile, in Dharmasthala, members of the Karnataka Adivasi Rights Coordination Committee met with the minister, urging the government to address issues faced by forest dwellers. They called for clarity on the status of forest and revenue land and for the processing of land regularization applications for those engaged in agriculture. The committee also emphasized the need for issuing title deeds and providing basic amenities to tribal families in the Kudremukh National Park area.
The minister assured that these issues will be resolved within the legal framework.
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