File photo of Karnataka's Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre exhorted officials to prevent encroachments and protect forest lands, noting that the department was now fighting for land worth Rs 50,000 crore.
During a meeting held here on Thursday, the minister expressed concern over the death of a person in Kodagu due to elephant conflict and said protecting forest land was the need of the hour as part of efforts to prevent wildlife conflict.
He pointed to the department's fight to recover Peenya Plantation land from HMT and the high court case to recover land leased by British to planters in Kodagu district as examples of challenges faced in recovering forest land. "Officials should go after encroachers to save forests," he said.