BANGALORE, January 18: The Supreme Court has directed the Karnataka Government to file an action taken report (ATR) within two weeks on the encroachment of 3,309 acres of reserve forest land in Chikmaglur district.Meanwhile, in an effort to stonewall investigations into the 416 cases of encroachment booked in that region, the Government is all set to delink Chikmaglur division from Shimoga circle, which is currently headed by Conservator of Forests R M N Sahai, who is seen as having backed the investigations.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice J S Verma and comprising Justices B N Kirpal and V N Karve on January 13 ordered issuing of notices to the State Government calling for replies, after admitting an interlocutory application on the case -- Godavarman Thirumalpad V/s the Union of India -- filed through Harish Salve, a senior Supreme Court advocate appointed amicus curae in the case.
A Karnataka-based wildlife activist made the application to the Supreme Court after The Indian
Expresson Dec 8, reported the details of the cases booked for encroachment of forest land in Chikmaglur district by prominent people including B L Shankar, the Janata Dal state unit President, his brother and father-in-law.
The application sought the Supreme Court to initiate contempt proceedings against the offenders booked for encroachment for flouting the Dec 12, 1996 orders of the Court.
The petitioner, in the application, also brought to the Court's notice, the threat being faced by A M Annaiah, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Chikmaglur division, for going ahead with the investigations, complying with Apex Court orders. The petitioner while seeking full assistance to Annaiah to carry out his duties, sought orders to the Government to take stern action against the encroaches involved in the 416 cases.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department on Jan 16 asked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Shantaram Adapa to furnish the replies and affidavits to the Government within a week toenable it to submit them to the Court. The Government's move to shift Chikmaglur division, to Hassan circle, is being seen as a consequence of it having failed in its efforts to ease Annaiah out of Chikmaglur. Annaiah, at present, continues to be the Chikmaglur DCF, and is said to pursuing the cases that he booked after the CAT stayed his transfer orders last month.
The files, proposing the transfer of Chikmaglur division ----hat has been under Shimoga circle ever since Forest Department came into being -- to Hassan circle is pending approval from the Government.
The orders are likely to be issued in a few days.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
