In an effort to resolve land ownership conflicts and clarify the status of deemed forest areas, District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa has instructed the Forest and Revenue Departments in Mysuru to jointly re-survey disputed land parcels. The goal is to confirm whether these areas have been officially classified as “deemed forests” under Forest Department norms.
Speaking to the media recently, Dr. Mahadevappa explained that any plot with more than 50 trees per acre, each with a minimum girth of 30 cm, qualifies as a deemed forest. However, many of these tracts are currently being cultivated, with some individuals reportedly asserting ownership without legal entitlement.
“To eliminate confusion, we’ve initiated a comprehensive reassessment. If the land hasn’t been formally designated as deemed forest, it will either be reclaimed as government land or regularised for current users,” he stated.
A joint survey spanning nearly 6,000 acres is ongoing, with around 5,100 acres already examined. The rest will be reviewed soon, followed by a detailed report to determine the next steps. If land is confirmed to be private agricultural property, farmers will be allowed to harvest trees they’ve nurtured, the minister added.
Separately, Dr. Mahadevappa raised concerns over falling SSLC (Class 10) exam results in the district. Stressing the need to curb student dropouts, he proposed two supplementary attempts for those who failed. He urged officials to enhance teaching quality and academic support to improve student outcomes in the upcoming academic year.
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