Forest guards suspended for failing to halt encroachment in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary

The incident, which was reported by indianexpress.com on May 5, involved the encroachment of 26 acres of forest land in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary located in Amagaon village of Belagavi district. The accused individuals had unlawfully cleared and burned trees to occupy the forest land. The forest department initiated an investigation into the matter soon after the incident occurred in March.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (Belagavi) G P Harsha Bhanu previously stated, “On March 14, we received information about the felling and burning of trees by some miscreants. We immediately initiated an investigation. Five accused individuals have been apprehended for encroaching upon the sanctuary and cultivating cashew trees by ploughing the land. They have been booked under the relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and Karnataka Forest Act for trespassing in the sanctuary. On April 26, the accused were presented before the judicial magistrate.”