Karnataka Forms A Task Force To Clear Illegal Resorts & Homestays In Forests & Western Ghats In Wake Of Recent Landslides In The Region

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has announced that the state will form a task force to clear out illegal resorts, homestays and all forest and Western Ghats encroachments. This move comes in the wake of recent landslides in Western Ghats, Shirur, and Wayanad. He said such initiatives are necessary because, “if we don’t wake up now, the next generation won’t forgive us.”

Task Force To Clear Encroachments In Karnataka Forests, Western Ghat

Eshwar Khandre announced that the state will form a ‘Forests And Western Ghats Encroachment Clearance Task Force’. This task force will clear out illegal resorts, homestays, and forest encroachments in all the state’s ghat regions. The will include the Western Ghats that cover 10 districts in Karnataka.

According to an NDTV report, this task force has been formed under the leadership of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force. They have been instructed to start operations against forest encroachment in Western Ghats and other ghat areas from Monday.

Furthermore, the task force will have the authority to investigate encroachment cases and issue orders under section 64A of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963. Also, officers above the rank of assistant conservator of forests (ACF) will have the right to conduct proceedings in their respective zones two days a week to expedite the resolution of pending 64A cases.

A few days back, the state ordered a crackdown on illegal construction along the Western Ghats as well. The Forest Department has been instructed to remove all forest encroachments. This especially includes the ones that have sprung up after 2015 in the ghat regions, NDTV reported. They have to submit a report on all the actions taken against such encroachments in a month’s time.

Also Read: Bengaluru-Mangaluru Highway NH75 Faces Immense Traffic Due To Fresh Landslips Near Sakleshpur

Why Was This Step Necessary In The State?

While addressing a press conference, Eshwar Khandre said, “If we do not wake up now, the next generation will not forgive us.” He pointed out that immediate steps like this task force are needed to avoid tragedies like landslides. Recent tragedies like the landslides in Shiradi Ghat, Western Ghats, Shirur, and Wayanad were his biggest concern. He went on to talk about how landslides are continuously occurring in Karnataka and how this is hampering nature.

Besides reports and homestays, the task force has been ordered to issue notices to road and highway contractors, as well as NHAI engineers, if they are found responsible for unscientific hill-cutting practices in the Western Ghats.

We must applaud Karnataka for understanding the need to preserve nature, especially after the tragedies in the neighbouring regions. Let us know your two cents on this task force in the comments section.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)