Karnataka forest minister says errant officers won’t be spared, ‘no matter how big’ they are

Khandre: We cannot live on any other planet except Earth. This is the only land we all have. Thus we must protect our land for ourselves and the future generations. Our priority is to emphasise on conservation of nature, environment and forest. The state has 21 per cent forest cover and increasing it to 33 per cent is my first priority.

Q. In several cases of forest encroachment, only junior-rank staff are suspended but officials like deputy conservators of forests get off the hook.

Khandre: It is not right that action is being taken against only junior-level staff. Now the government has changed. The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is committed. After I became forest minister, I have taken cases of encroachment of forest land seriously. Recently, a report was published about illegal stone mining in Dadighatta in Hassan district and a no-objection letter was issued in violation of the order of the Supreme Court. An inquiry was conducted and the charges against the DCF of Hassan, K Harish, were proven. K Harish was suspended. Similarly in Virajpet, permission was sought to cut down six trees, but approval was given to cut down 66 teak trees, which were a hundred years old, thereby causing a loss to the exchequer. Against this background, DCF Y Chakrapani was suspended. No matter how big the officer is, if he has committed a mistake and has colluded with the forest encroachers, we will not let him off the hook.

“After I assumed office as forest minister, I have instructed the officers of the department not to go on assignments to other departments, said Khandre. (Express photo)

Q. Most of the DCF-rank officials are posted outside their departments, in the pollution control board and the tourism department. This impacts conservation. How would you deal with the issue?

Khandre: Forest conservation is the primary duty of the forest department. After I assumed office as forest minister, I have instructed the officers of the department not to go on assignments to other departments. Steps will be taken to recall those who have already moved to other departments to come back to their parent organisation and their services will be adequately utilised for forest and wildlife conservation work.

Q. What is your strategy to improve the condition of the lakes in Bengaluru?

Khandre: Bengaluru has several lakes. If all these lakes are filled and their water is potable, there will be no water problem in the capital city. However, today the lakes are polluted with waste water. Groundwater is also getting polluted. Waste water from multi-storey buildings and industries is directly entering this lake without treatment. If people are aware and treat waste in their apartments, if plastic waste is prevented from entering the canals, drains and lakes, the lakes will be clean. I recently visited the Bellandur lake in Bengaluru. The sewage treatment plants are being upgraded and a few more STPs are being set up. The work related to the STP will be completed by 2024. Improvement of lakes is not possible without the cooperation of the people.