Forest dept. takes up eviction drive in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary

For representation purpose only

Drive under section 64 (a) of KFA at Amagaon village in Belagavi district. 

Bengaluru, May 9: The Karnataka Forest Department has initiated encroachment eviction proceedings under 64 (a) of the Karnataka Forest Act in the case of encroachment of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Amagaon village in Belagavi district. 

The forest department has arrested five accused in the case and presented them before the judicial magistrate. The accused, according to the department, had cut and burnt down trees to encroach the forest land. The encroachers wanted to plant cashew trees. 

However, a local villager who first approached the department with details of encroachment said though the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) was informed about the large-scale fresh encroachment and tree felling in March itself, no action was taken. “Both Principal chief conservator of forest (head of forest force) and Chief Wildlife Warden take action against officials and staff for their negligence of duty. This is a serious lapse on the part of the department.”

Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) Rajiv Ranjan said, “I have checked with the field staff. It is an old encroachment and the case is already booked. The 64 (A) proceedings are going on.” 

64(A) proceedings encompass eviction of encroachment. 

Belagavi forest division in a release said, “On March 14 the trees were cut and set ablaze by some miscreants. The investigation was started and five accused were apprehended for encroaching the sanctuary. They ploughed the land to grow cashew trees. For trespassing the sanctuary they have been booked under the relevant sections of Wildlife Protection Act and Karnataka Forest. On April 26, the accused were produced before the judicial magistrate.” 

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