Sun Nov 24 13:42:28 UTC 2024: ## Bengaluru Forest Land Reclaimed After 18-Year Legal Battle
**Bengaluru, November 24, 2024** – Forest department officials in Bengaluru have successfully reclaimed 4.3 acres of encroached forest land in the Bhoothanahalli mini-forest near Kaggalipura-Bannerghatta Road. The land, valued at approximately ₹25 crore, was cleared on Saturday following orders from Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre.
The encroachment, attributed to Ravi Kavale who had constructed a farmhouse, had been ongoing since at least 2006, when an FIR was filed. The 18-year legal battle finally concluded with the land’s recovery. The Bhoothanahalli mini-forest, declared as such in 1934 during the reign of the Kingdom of Mysuru, encompasses 539 acres and 27 guntas. According to the Minister’s statement, 70% of the encroachments in this area have now been cleared, with efforts continuing to reclaim the remaining land.
First Piper 