Mon Jun 23 15:37:08 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Karnataka Forest Department conducted a major encroachment clearance drive on June 23, 2025, reclaiming 120 acres of Kadugodi forest land in East Bengaluru, valued at over ₹4,000 crore. The land, part of a larger reserve forest given to the government in the late 19th century, had been encroached upon with temporary industrial sheds and unauthorized residential plots. The operation was carried out under police security, with structures demolished and saplings of native trees planted. Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre had instructed officials to clear encroached forest land to protect Bengaluru’s green cover, citing a Supreme Court ruling that “once a forest is always a forest.” In total, the department has cleared 248 acres of encroached forest land in the past two years, worth over ₹8,000 crore.
**News Article:**
**Bengaluru Reclaims Valuable Forest Land in Major Encroachment Drive**
**Bengaluru, June 23, 2025** – In a significant move to protect Bengaluru’s dwindling green spaces, the Karnataka Forest Department today reclaimed 120 acres of encroached forest land in the Kadugodi area of East Bengaluru. The land, valued at over ₹4,000 crore, was cleared of temporary industrial sheds and unauthorized residential plots during a large-scale operation.
Under the direction of Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre, officials, backed by police security, utilized earth movers to demolish structures erected on Survey No. 1 of Kadugodi Plantation, Bidarahalli Hobli. Following the clearance, the department demarcated boundaries and planted native tree species to revitalize the area.
“The Supreme Court has said that once a forest is always a forest,” stated Mr. Khandre. “In accordance with this, we have recovered 120 acres of forest land in Kadugodi. By recovering this land, we will be increasing the lung space of Bengaluru.”
According to officials, the reclaimed land is part of a 711-acre plot originally gifted to the government by the Mysore Maharaja’s in the late 19th century and later designated as a reserve forest. Over time, a portion of this land was encroached upon.
Today’s operation brings the total amount of encroached forest land reclaimed by the department in the last two years to 248 acres, with a combined market value exceeding ₹8,000 crore. The Forest Department is committed to continuing its efforts to protect Bengaluru’s remaining forest areas and increase the city’s green cover.
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