BENGALURU: Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Eshwar B Khandre announced on Tuesday that the forest department’s revenue collection has surged, alongside significant recovery of encroached land.
Khandre reported that revenue increased from Rs 263.41 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 417.84 crore in 2023-24. Additionally, reserved forest area expanded by 3,395.73 hectares in 2023-24, and protected areas grew by 184.52 hectares. The department reclaimed 2,602.30 acres of encroached forest land, valued at Rs 1,500 crore.
The highest land recovery was in the Kolar division, with 1,392.41 acres of encroached forest land recovered. In Madikeri, 5.50 acres were cleared, and 17 acres were reclaimed in Bengaluru’s Kothanur forest division. Around 7,500 acres of forest land in Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, and Mysuru, leased to industries and estates by the British, will be reclaimed as leases expire. These companies have earned substantial profits from these lands.
The minister also revealed that Rs 100 crore has been allocated for a sapling plantation drive this fiscal year. Last year, 5.40 crore saplings were planted statewide, with a three-month audit underway to assess their survival rate.
To address staffing shortages, Khandre noted that there are about 6,000 vacancies in the department. In the first phase, 310 watcher positions have been filled, and recruitment for 540 guards is in progress. Quick written exams are being arranged to fill posts in 10 forest zones.