IFS assn building in reserve forest land?

Nischith N.| NT

Environmental activists have expressed concern over the Karnataka forest department’s move to set up buildings in reserve forest lands.

They are opposing the move by Karnataka forest department of constricting and Indian Forest Services (IFS) officers association building at Jarakabande reserve forest, Bengaluru North Sub Division, which will be for non-forestry purposes. The forest department is also coming up with a 3- storey building to set up a climate change institute.

According to the reports, it was earlier decided to build an Indian Forest Services (IFS) officers association building in the Sankey Lake Forest land. Going by the map, the proposed structure would have encroached around 0.37 acres of a Raj Kaluve. Later it was reported that the department has decided to shift the proposed building to Jarakabande reserve forest.

In a letter dated Jan 20, addressed to the Principal Chief Forest Conservator, the Chief Forest Conservator (Regional), which News Trail has access to, it has expressed concern over the proposed construction of new IFS Association Building adjacent to Sankey Residential Quarters.

Pointing out that a storm water drain passes through the land identified for construction, the Chief Conservator of Forest had said, “The storm water drain that carries rain water to the Sankey Lake will be a hurdle as it will come in the way of construction. During heavy rains when the water level in the lake increases, it will dampen the proposed building and damage it. Also the existing duplex buildings (S 7, 8, 9 and 10) at Sankey campus have to be demolished to make way for the new building, which is time consuming.”

Having explained all the above points with support letters and documents, the Chief Conservator of Forest has suggested an alternate location at JarakaBande Kaval forest region and has requested the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest to approve it.

Now the environmentalists question whether the forest department has taken the clearance to construct an IFS officers association building, which is for non-forestry purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

Reacting on this to News Trail, Sanjay Mohan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) said, “As of now I don’t know anything about the association building, Now we are only constructing Climate Change and Environmental institute Jarakabande reserve forest. A change in climate seriously impacts the soil, flora and fauna and waterbodies.” So he said that Karnataka forest department has planned to set up a research institute.

But confirming the plan of building IFS officers association, Raj Kumar Srivastava, Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests said that place has not yet been decided.

“Yes, we have plans of building an IFS officers association, but have not yet decided on the place. The amount of Rs 8.25 crore has been allocated, but it takes some more time. As of now only climate change institute, the main purpose of this new 3-storey building, will be there to continuously monitor data over the next few decades. It will be useful for analysis of climate change,” Srivastava said.