Bangalore Educational Centre Director Satish Inamdar on Wednesday said the Valley School had no complaints against forest department. “We want to defuse the matter and have no dispute with the forest department,” he said.
Addressing reporters at Valley School campus, Mr Inamdar said in the 1970s, the school had received 103 acres which was already fenced. Later, the school realised a part of the land belonged to the forest department. The school asked for a joint survey of the area coming under the department.
“In the last two years, we were negotiating with the Central government and State government agencies for barter or lease of the land. Conservation forest official U V Singh said law does not permit for barter or lease. Hence, they had to bring down the structure,” he said.
The school also preferred to distance itself on allegations made by parents. The school felt parents would have made such statements in an emotional outburst.
Poaching
On poaching, the school officials said poaching for sandalwood was rampant and nothing much can be done about it as poachers will be armed.