Need to amend Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act 1976 to save trees in state: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru: Minister for Forest and Environment Eshwara B Khandre expressed worry over the illegal felling of trees on government land, forests and roadsides and opined that there was a need to amend the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act 1976 to handle the problem.
Khandre, who addressed the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) Monthly Management Review (MMR) meeting on Thursday, said that there was a need to take strict action in the matter by imposing higher penalty on those axing trees illegally.
He also cited the Supreme Court’s objection to cutting trees in large numbers, saying protection of trees was necessary in the backdrop of increasing levels of global warming and climate change. He directed the officials to follow the Supreme Court’s view over the indiscriminate axing of trees, adding that officials should not grant permission to unnecessary felling of trees.
In addition, the minister pointed out that citizens and environmentalists had expressed outrage over the axing of 40 trees in Mysuru recently and the proposal to fell 368 trees near the Cantonment Railway Station in Bengaluru.
Khandre said there should be zero tolerance for encroachment of forest land and, in cases of encroachment post-2015, the encroachers should be evicted without leniency. He also directed officials for him information on encroachments, evictions and actions that had been taken in the last two years.
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We'll work with truth, non-violence to remove Modi-RSS govt: Rahul
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said his party stands with "satya (truth)" and vowed to remove the "Narendra Modi-RSS government".
Addressing the party's 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' rally at the Ramlila Maidan here, he launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission and mentioned the names of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to allege that they were working for the BJP.
"We will stand with 'satya' (truth) and will remove the Narendra Modi-RSS government from power. They have 'satta' (power), and they indulge in 'vote chori'," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
Gandhi claimed that the BJP transferred Rs 10,000 during elections, but the poll panel did not take any action against them. "In this fight between truth and untruth, the Election Commission is working with the BJP government," he said.
"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi brought a new law to give immunity to EC; we will change this law retroactively and act against election commissioners," Gandhi said.
Asserting that it may take time, but truth will ultimately win, he said, "We'll work with truth and non-violence to defeat Modi and (Amit) Shah."
VIDEO | Delhi: Addressing the party’s ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhor’ rally at Ramlila Maidan, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “PM Modi brought a new law to give immunity to EC; we will change that and act against Election Commissioners.”
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 14, 2025
(Full video available on PTI… pic.twitter.com/CpYfEdwjF2
