Centre asks State about action against officials over Forest Act violations
The Union Ministry of Environment has questioned the Karnataka state government regarding unauthorized forest land use in Belagavi district. The Ministry is seeking justification for why a previously rejected proposal for non-forestry activities is being reconsidered.
Why it matters
It underscores the tension between state-level development projects and federal environmental regulations regarding forest conservation.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has raised some questions about violations of the Forest Act in Ramdurg of Belagavi district.
This is the second time that the Centre has sought details from the State government.
The Ministry officers have also recommended action against local forest officials for their inability “to prevent the violations and to initiate action against violators”.
These concern the proposal of Shree Sharada Devi Education Society seeking diversion of 0.9648 hectares of forest land at Doddamagadi in Ramdurg taluk.
The letter sent to the State government and Belagavi officials follows a site inspection by its regional office of the forest area near the mountain in Ramdurg.
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