Date:01/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/01/stories/2006120117460400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Jamdar submits report on forestland

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: S.M. Jamdar, Principal Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, Revenue Department, has submitted his report on the alleged encroachment and massive fabrication of ownership and sale deeds of Turahalli minor forest to the Lokayukta.

It was in September that Upa Lokayukta G. Patri Basavana Goud took suo motu notice of reports in the media. Using his powers under the Lokayukta Act, Mr. Goud asked Mr. Jamdar and S. Parameshwarappa, a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, to submit separate reports on the land scam reported in the 597-acre forest, considered as the only lung space for southern Bangalore.

Mr. Goud was awaiting report from Mr. Parameshwarappa.

"Both the reports will be studied before recommending any action," Mr. Goud told The Hindu on Thursday.

In June, the Forest Department filed complaints about fabrication and encroachment of forestland.

It filed 22 cases including against Bangalore Development Authority for encroachment of 42 acres for its Banashankari VI Phase project.

The department found 14 acres of land granted illegally and eight acres of land encroached by private parties.

The Talaghattapura police of Bangalore Rural district arrested 10 persons in connection with fabrication of documents.

The State Government suspended one of the sub-registrars of Kengeri in this connection.

During the investigation by Mr. Jamdar and Mr. Parameshwarappa, a joint survey of the minor forest was done by the Forest Department and the Revenue Department.

A map of the forest area was prepared.