From 2015 to 2022, the Karnataka Forest Department spent Rs 1.98 crore and Rs 49,95,067 on afforestation in Kushalnagar and Bhagamandala forest ranges, respectively. The two forest ranges are located in Kodagu district. The figures were shared by the department in response to an RTI filed by The Indian Express. The RTI further revealed that the Bhadravathi forest division in Shivamogga did not spend a single rupee on afforestation since 2015. The amount spent on afforestation includes maintenance of the forests. However, some of the officials within the forest department opined that the forest department should concentrate on afforestation in the drier parts of Karnataka rather than spending crores in the Western Ghats. “The Western Ghats has many naturally regenerated seedlings. The department should have pumped funds in greening the dry regions of Karnataka like Vijayapura, Raichur, Gadag and Koppal. These regions have less than 5 per cent green cover. Even in the Dakshina Kannada region, a huge amount is spent on afforestation,” a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the Karnataka Forest Department said on condition of anonymity. Notably, a response from Dakshin Kannada forest region is still awaited. Every year, Kodagu faces floods and huge loss of property and human lives. Amount spent on afforestation in Bhagamandala range 2015-2016: Rs 15,82,293 2016-2017: Rs 3,10,974 2017-2018: Rs 3,66,500 2018-2019: Rs 14,33,305 2019-2020: Rs 4,03,750 2020-2021: Rs 3,02,865 2021-2022: Rs 3,35,720 2022-2023: Rs 2,59,660 Amount spent on afforestation in Kushalnagar range 2015-2016: Rs 11.17 lakh 2016-2017: Rs 12.90 lakh 2017-2018: Rs 24.66 lakh 2018-2019: no data 2019-2020: Rs 27.90 lakh 2020-2021: Rs 66 lakh 2021-2022: Rs 14.47 lakh 2022-2023: Rs 44 lakh
