Karnataka Takes Bold Steps to Protect Western Ghats: Will Strict Implementation Follow?

Minister Khandre has issued a directive to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department to expeditiously address encroachments on forest land across the Western Ghats.

Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has called for stringent measures against illegal developments in the Western Ghats, targeting unauthorized layouts, plantations, homestays, and resorts. This decisive action comes in response to the recent landslide disaster in Wayanad, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard the region's delicate ecosystem.

Minister Khandre has issued a directive to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department to expeditiously address encroachments on forest land across the Western Ghats. This order specifically covers Kodagu, also known as Coorg, as well as Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Belagavi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Hassan, and other affected areas in the Western Ghats.

The Western Ghats, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity and crucial role in environmental equilibrium. However, the region faces escalating threats from unauthorized activities such as illegal plantations, commercial resorts, and homestays that disrupt its natural habitat.

In the wake of the Wayanad landslide, which underscored the vulnerability of the region to anthropogenic impacts, the Karnataka government has committed to preserving this ecologically sensitive area. Minister Khandre’s latest directive aims to halt the detrimental effects of unregulated development and restore encroached lands.

The Minister has mandated that all encroachments be cleared and that a comprehensive action report be prepared within a month. “The encroachment of forest areas in the Western Ghats and other hilly regions poses a grave threat to both environmental integrity and public safety,” Khandre emphasized. “Immediate and resolute action is necessary to address these encroachments and rehabilitate the natural environment. Delays in this matter could lead to severe repercussions.”

This initiative reflects a broader effort by the Karnataka government to tackle environmental degradation and safeguard critical ecological zones from detrimental human activities. However, there is skepticism about whether these measures will be rigorously enforced or if they will turn out to be mere symbolic gestures. While the intention to conserve the Western Ghats' rich natural heritage is commendable, the real test will be in the effective implementation and follow-through of these actions to prevent future environmental crises.

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