Forest Department Faces Rs 2 Crore Misuse Allegations in Haveri Plantation Scandal
Haveri: The territorial wing of the forest department in Haveri district is embroiled in serious controversy following allegations of misusing more than Rs 2 crore allocated under the Rural Roadside Plantation (RRP) scheme and the Karnataka Forest Development Fund (KFDF) for the 2024–25 fiscal year. Residents and activists have raised multiple concerns about fund withdrawal without corresponding plantation work, blatant technical violations, and overlapping projects that contradict established guidelines.
Allegations of Delayed and Inadequate Plantation Work
According to local reports, the sanctioned funds were intended for roadside plantation activities across various taluks in the district. However, in numerous locations, plantation work was either not initiated as scheduled or began only after public objections were formally raised. The issue appears particularly severe in Haveri and Byadagi taluks, where officials allegedly withdrew the allocated amount without commencing any ground-level plantation activities.
Only after these allegations gained public attention did plantation work reportedly commence in certain areas, notably along the Kalledevar–Budapanahalli Road in Byadagi taluk. This hurried implementation has raised suspicions about the department's intentions and timing.
Technical Violations and Overlapping Claims
Further concerns have emerged regarding significant technical violations of established plantation norms. According to standard procedures, saplings used for roadside plantation should measure at least 5 feet in height with a minimum stem diameter of 1 inch. Additionally, planting pits must be 3x3 feet in dimension to ensure proper growth and survival rates.
Contrary to these guidelines, small saplings were allegedly planted in undersized pits, compromising their viability. Official documents indicate that the forest department claimed completion of plantation work along 241.5 kilometers under the RRP scheme. However, overlapping plantation claims have surfaced, particularly along the Budapanahalli–Kalledevar road, where nearly 4 kilometers reportedly witnessed plantation activities within a decade despite rules permitting such work only once every ten years in any given stretch.
Departmental Responses and Activist Allegations
When contacted for comment, Haveri Deputy Conservator of Forests Akshay Prakaskar provided a brief response, attributing sapling losses primarily to inadequate rainfall. He stated that 80–90% of plants had survived in Kaginele Park but did not address specific questions regarding alleged norm violations or fund misuse.
Meanwhile, Chief Conservator of Forests Vasant Reddy acknowledged the concerns, stating, "I have instructed the DCF of Haveri division to examine all these issues and submit a detailed report." This indicates that higher authorities are now investigating the matter internally.
Social activist Praveen Mulimani has been vocal in his criticism, alleging that plantation works were conducted in violation of basic procedures. "Normally, plantation is undertaken in June with the onset of the monsoon to ensure higher survival rates. In this case, the works were allegedly carried out during summer, only after public complaints. This raises suspicion that funds were first withdrawn and attempts were later made to demonstrate work on the ground," he claimed.
Mulimani further highlighted specific procedural lapses, noting that saplings should be planted at least 3 meters away from tar roads to ensure safety and proper growth. "However, in many places across Haveri district, saplings were planted almost adjacent to the road and even directly under electrical lines, posing safety risks and indicating a lack of planning," he alleged.
The activist also suggested the involvement of higher-ranking officials, including assistant conservators of forests and DCFs, in what he described as a large-scale misuse of public funds. These allegations point to potential systemic issues within the department's implementation of plantation schemes.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The allegations have sparked broader concerns about transparency and accountability in government-funded environmental initiatives. The misuse of funds intended for roadside plantation not only represents financial impropriety but also undermines ecological conservation efforts in the region.
As the investigation progresses, stakeholders are calling for thorough audits of all plantation projects under the RRP scheme and KFDF in Haveri district. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for future environmental funding and implementation protocols across Karnataka.
