In a swift response to alarming revelations about massive forest land encroachment, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered an immediate crackdown on illegal land grabbing cases across the state.
Emergency Meeting Triggered by Investigative Report
The minister took decisive action on November 28, 2025, calling an emergency meeting with senior forest department officials. This urgent gathering was prompted by a detailed investigation published by Deccan Herald that exposed the department's potential loss of valuable forest land worth approximately Rs 30,000 crore.
The DH report, titled 'Karnataka forest dept stares at losing Rs 30k crore land,' served as a wake-up call for the administration, revealing the staggering scale of illegal encroachments and unauthorized occupations of protected forest areas throughout Karnataka.
Immediate Action Against Land Mafia
Minister Khandre has directed officials to launch comprehensive operations against individuals and groups involved in systematic forest land grabbing. The crackdown aims to reclaim thousands of acres of forest land that have been illegally occupied over the years.
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre emphasized the gravity of the situation during the emergency meeting, stating that protecting Karnataka's forest wealth remains the government's top priority. The minister instructed officials to compile detailed reports on all pending encroachment cases and accelerate legal proceedings.
Protecting Karnataka's Natural Heritage
The potential loss of Rs 30,000 crore worth of forest land represents one of the largest environmental and financial threats facing the state. This massive valuation underscores both the ecological significance and commercial value of the threatened forest areas.
The forest department now faces the challenging task of identifying legitimate land claims while weeding out illegal occupations. Officials have been instructed to use all available legal means, including satellite imagery and ground surveys, to verify land ownership and occupation patterns.
This proactive stance by the forest minister signals a renewed commitment to environmental conservation and strict enforcement of forest protection laws in Karnataka.
