Deputy Conservator of Forests of Chikkamagaluru faces govt wrath over survey of forest encroachments

BENGALURU: The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) of Chikkamagaluru Division is facing the wrath of the government for having taken up survey/demarcation of 1,002 acres of disputed revenue grants to big encroachers in Masgali Reserve Forest area. This is a district with maximum forest encroachments in the state and presently, it has to comply with Supreme Court orders for recovery of all encroached forest lands in the Masgali Reserve Forest area by December end.

DCF Chandranna says he is facing transfer and he is ready to serve anywhere in the state. He told Express that he was doing his duty and as per the Forest Conservation Act. He added, “I will work as per the law and my conscience, and I cannot mislead the court on the issue of illegal revenue grants. In fact, I have asked the government to set up a high-level committee as more than 700 acres were granted after 1978, the year Masgali Reserve Forest was notified.”

In the last four months, 452 acres of encroached land have been recovered in order to comply with the SC orders by December end. In the recovered area, coffee crops have been completely uprooted in more than 150 acres. Further, reforestation process has started in 62 acres with evergreen forest species like Mango, Ficus, and a host of shade species being planted. 

Chandranna says, “I have diligently complied with the SC directions and in the process, managed to recover 452 acres (excess area category) of encroached lands. However, as far as the ‘revenue grants’ are concerned, they are illegal as it was done after the notification of Masgali reserve forests.” After the survey of illegal revenue grants was completed, demarcation by erection of boundary stones was taken up. But the encroachers started shifting the stones illegally.

So the forest department started taking up CPT (cattle proof trenching) to prevent this illegal activity and make it into a permanent demarcation. “In fact, we have managed to do 5 km of D-lining out of a total length of 52 km. In coordination with district authorities and police, I will complete the work,” the DCF said. Senior forest officials and wildlife conservationists refused to comment.