In a recent controversy surrounding the HMT land in Bengaluru, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre has firmly rebutted allegations made by Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy regarding encroachment by the Forest Department. Khandre asserted that it is the central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) HMT that has unlawfully encroached upon non-diversified forest land, subsequently selling portions of this land to real estate firms. The minister emphasized that with eviction orders now in place for the encroached forest land, any possibility for real estate development in this area is unequivocally ruled out, rendering Kumaraswamy's claims without merit.
Khandre's response to Kumaraswamy's accusations was clear and direct. He pointed out that the encroachment of non-diversified forest land was executed by HMT, not the Forest Department, thereby absolving the latter of any wrongdoing. He referenced Section 64A of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, which dictates that once land is cleared, any further real estate activity becomes legally impossible. The minister also highlighted that certain officials had previously attempted to file an Interlocutory Application (IA) in the Supreme Court to de-notify the forest land without the necessary approvals from the Chief Secretary-led committee or the Cabinet, leading to their suspension and the issuance of show-cause notices.
The state government has since sought Cabinet approval to withdraw this IA and is actively engaged in legal discussions regarding the matter. Khandre reiterated that, following the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, any forest land that has not been officially diverted remains classified as forest. This position is further supported by a Supreme Court ruling, reinforcing the notion that the contested land will continue to be recognized as forested. In light of these regulations, Khandre firmly contested Kumaraswamy's assertion that the HMT land lacks forest cover, arguing that the region still contains significant green spaces, including plantations.
Khandre characterized the HMT forest land as a critical asset for the 7 crore citizens of Karnataka, labeling it an essential green lung for Bengaluru. He pointed to plans for the establishment of a large biodiversity park, aimed at surpassing the size of both Lalbagh and Cubbon Park combined, as a testament to the government’s commitment to preserving the area’s ecological integrity. He expressed concerns over the legality of HMT's activities, specifically the sale of approximately 165 acres of forest land for a mere Rs 300 crore, urging Kumaraswamy to visit the site for verification. Khandre concluded by highlighting the historical injustices faced by the Sharavathi project oustees, whose land rights have yet to be recognized due to earlier classifications as forest land, reiterating that HMT's actions in selling land to real estate firms are fundamentally illegal.