The Karnataka government has ordered Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) to return forest land valued at Rs 15,000 crore, as the land is no longer required for the purpose for which it was originally granted. The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) ruled that HMT must hand over the land back to the state government.
Background of the land grant
The forest land was allocated to HMT decades ago for industrial purposes. However, over time, the company ceased operations on the site, and the land remained unused. The DCF determined that since the land was no longer serving its intended purpose, it should be returned to the state.
Impact of the order
The order affects approximately 1,200 acres of prime forest land in Bengaluru. The land's current market value is estimated at Rs 15,000 crore. The state government plans to use the land for conservation and public purposes.
According to officials, the decision aligns with forest conservation laws and ensures that land granted for specific industrial use is reclaimed if not utilized. The DCF stated, "HMT ought to have returned the lands to the state government when they were no longer required for the purpose for which they were granted."
