Bengaluru sees reduction of 500 hectares of green cover: Minister

NT Correspondent

Belagavi: Karnataka Environment and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday said Bengaluru has witnessed a reduction of about 500 hectares of green cover, with 2,871 acres of forest land being encroached.

Responding to a question during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, he cited encroachment of forest land and rapid urbanisation among the main reasons for man-wildlife conflicts.

"In Bengaluru more than 2,500 acres of valuable forest land has been encroached. Out of that, 403 acres has been cleared. 673 -- 64A (of the Karnataka Forest Act) cases are in the courts. In 18 cases, the High Court has given a stay," Khandre said.

He said, "In Bengaluru about 500 hectares of green cover has been reduced. My appeal to legislators from Bengaluru and all other members in the House is to cooperate for clearing encroachments, so that animals coming out into the city and leading to man and wildlife conflicts can be reduced."

The minister was responding to a question raised by Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy, about the leopard, whose sighting created a scare in parts of Bengaluru city, being shot dead by forest officials on November 1.

To prevent menace in Bengaluru, elephant and leopard task forces have been formed, Khandre said.