Anil Kumble to be named Forest and Wildlife ambassador: Karnataka minister Eshwar B Khandre
Bengaluru, May 27 (PTI): Former cricketer Anil Kumble will be nominated as the Forest and Wildlife Ambassador, Forest, Biology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre said on Tuesday.
Addressing reporters, Khandre said Anil Kumble, who previously served as Vice-President of the Karnataka Wildlife Board, is of world-class fame and will help create awareness among the public about forest conservation, forest development, tree preservation, and wildlife conservation.
"Anil Kumble has an immense concern for wildlife. He loves forests. Hence, he has agreed to become an ambassador without receiving any remuneration," Khandre said.
As Tuesday marked his two years as Forest Minister, Khandre also shared a glimpse of his achievements and future plans.
Khandre said that in the last two years, about 8,848 'vanamahotsavas' have been held, and approximately 8.5 crore saplings have been planted and nurtured in forest areas, along roadsides, and on government land.
In the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, a total of 1,20,975 hectares of plantations, 25 new arboretums, and 35 forests have been developed, he added.
Khandre also said that in the last two years, a total of 3.70 crore saplings have been distributed to farmers for planting in their own fields and elsewhere.
The minister said the state government has decided to build another major park on 153 acres in Madappanahalli near Yelahanka.
"Lalbagh in Bengaluru was built during the time of Hyder Ali; Cubbon Park was built during the British era. Even after a century, another large park has not been built in Bengaluru. Therefore, after I became the Forest Minister, the 153 acres of land that had been given to the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation for growing Nilgiri will be taken back by the Forest Department on June 2, and a park will be built there," he said.
The foundation stone for the park will be laid in two months, Khandre told reporters.
The minister expressed concern that forest land in Bengaluru has been encroached upon for decades. In the last two years, 128 acres of encroached forest land have been cleared.
According to him, the market value of the cleared land is around Rs 4,000 crore.
Khandre alleged that the central government-owned HMT has been completely barred from selling 444 acres of forest land—worth about Rs 14,300 crore, that it holds to various organisations, including real estate companies.
"It has been decided to reclaim this forest land and preserve it as a park, and a legal battle has been launched. A petition is currently being heard in the Supreme Court," he said.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
