The Karnataka Forest Minister, Eshwar B Khandre, has ordered an investigation into allegations of illegal tree felling in Bengaluru’s Peenya Plantation, where Yash’s upcoming film “Toxic” is being shot.
The 599-acre Peenya Plantation, spread over areas 1 and 2, was originally reserved as a forest area, as per a gazette notification. However, in the 1960s, the land was allegedly donated to HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) without denotification, violating Supreme Court guidelines that “once a forest, always a forest unless denotified.”
Satellite images reveal widespread tree felling in the area, with reports suggesting that HMT has illegally sold the forest land to various government and private entities, including Canara Bank.
Forest Minister Khandre, who visited the site, has directed officials to:
1. Verify if permission was obtained for tree felling.
2. Take disciplinary action against officials who granted permission, if any.
3. File forest offense cases against those responsible for illegal tree felling.
The investigation aims to unravel the extent of illegal activities and ensure accountability.
