HMT forest land issue, Minister’s notice to senior forest officer

Bengaluru
Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Ishwar Khandre has instructed senior forest officers to explain their request to the Supreme Court to denotify the HMT forest land at Peenya-Jalahalli Plantation. This request was made without the Minister’s or Cabinet’s approval, violating rules.
According to a note sent to the Deputy Chief Secretary, any change to the forest’s status requires decisions from both Houses of the Legislature. The Karnataka Government Affairs Rules state that transferring government land valued over 5 crores requires Cabinet approval. Minister Khandre noted that 165 acres of land have already been sold for over Rs 313 crore.
All involved officers have been ordered to provide a show-cause notice within seven days and to submit proposals for further action. An application for withdrawal has been made. The Minister has stated plans to develop a botanical garden on the land after it is transferred to the forest department.