<p>Belagavi: The Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment has launched a legal battle to recover more than 5,100 acres of reserve forest land leased to a number of private plantations during India’s colonial era.</p>.<p>Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to a query by BJP MLC M P Kushalappa on private plantations leased before 1940, informed the Legislative Council in Belagavi on Monday that forest land was leased to nine plantations in Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts. “The original lease was for 999 years; this was reduced to 99 years in 2012 when an amendment was brought in. But the plantations have secured a stay from the court against the amendment. We have filed a counter petition, and have decided to recover forest land,” Khandre told the upper house of the state legislature.</p>.Karnataka Forest Department rejects exploration of iron ore in 1000 acre virgin forest.<p>The minister further added that measures had also been taken to collect lease, coupled with interest, on the lands, amounting to Rs 1,492.18 crore.</p>.<p>Khandre said that the Forest Department found that several plantations were operating within areas deemed reserved forest in 1999-2000. “Until then, there was confusion over the ownership of the land. The notice issued to the plantation owners was stayed by the High Court. The state has appealed the stay in higher courts,” the minister added.</p>.<p>A five-member task force had been constituted to bring the issue to a swift conclusion, said Khandre, adding that the government was working to recover the land. </p>
<p>Belagavi: The Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment has launched a legal battle to recover more than 5,100 acres of reserve forest land leased to a number of private plantations during India’s colonial era.</p>.<p>Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to a query by BJP MLC M P Kushalappa on private plantations leased before 1940, informed the Legislative Council in Belagavi on Monday that forest land was leased to nine plantations in Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts. “The original lease was for 999 years; this was reduced to 99 years in 2012 when an amendment was brought in. But the plantations have secured a stay from the court against the amendment. We have filed a counter petition, and have decided to recover forest land,” Khandre told the upper house of the state legislature.</p>.Karnataka Forest Department rejects exploration of iron ore in 1000 acre virgin forest.<p>The minister further added that measures had also been taken to collect lease, coupled with interest, on the lands, amounting to Rs 1,492.18 crore.</p>.<p>Khandre said that the Forest Department found that several plantations were operating within areas deemed reserved forest in 1999-2000. “Until then, there was confusion over the ownership of the land. The notice issued to the plantation owners was stayed by the High Court. The state has appealed the stay in higher courts,” the minister added.</p>.<p>A five-member task force had been constituted to bring the issue to a swift conclusion, said Khandre, adding that the government was working to recover the land. </p>
