Bengaluru: In a major crackdown on illegal encroachments, the Karnataka Forest Department has reclaimed 120 acres of forest land valued at nearly ₹4,000 crore in Kadugodi Plantation, located in Bengaluru East Taluk, state Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre announced on Tuesday.
The high-stakes eviction drive, which began on Monday, is part of the government’s intensified push to protect Bengaluru’s shrinking green cover and restore ecologically sensitive zones.
Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Minister Khandre wrote, “Last week, I directed forest officials to reclaim all encroached forest land in line with the law, without fear or favour. This massive eviction in Kadugodi is being carried out under my instructions and reflects our unflinching commitment to safeguarding our environment.”
ಇಂದು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಪೂರ್ವ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ಕಾಡುಗೋಡಿ ಪ್ಲಾಂಟೇಷನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ 120 ಎಕರೆ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿನ ಅಕ್ರಮ ಒತ್ತುವರಿ ತೆರವು ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣೆ ಕುರಿತು.
— Eshwar Khandre (@eshwar_khandre) June 23, 2025
As the Supreme Court clearly stated – Once a forest, always a forest.#SaveForestSaveFuture pic.twitter.com/VkdLc4yF69
According to officials, the operation marks one of the largest recoveries of forest land in the region in recent years. The reclaimed land had been under unauthorised occupation, with various illegal structures and usage patterns threatening the biodiversity and ecological stability of the area.
Minister Khandre also noted that with this latest recovery, the total forest land reclaimed within Bengaluru Urban and Rural limits over the past two years now stands at 248 acres.
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಪೂರ್ವ ತಾಲ್ಲೂಕಿನ ಕಾಡುಗೋಡಿ ಪ್ಲಾಂಟೇಷನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ₹4000 ಕೋಟಿ ಮೌಲ್ಯದ 120 ಎಕರೆ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿಯನ್ನು ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಇಂದು ಮರು ವಶಕ್ಕೆ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
— Eshwar Khandre (@eshwar_khandre) June 23, 2025
ನನ್ನ ಸೂಚನೆಯಂತೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣೆ, ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿನ ಶ್ವಾಸತಾಣಗಳ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಯತ್ತ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆಯಾಗಿದೆ.
ಈ ಮೂಲಕ ಕಳೆದ 2 ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರು… pic.twitter.com/76uK8wk0mx
“This is not just a matter of land recovery—it’s a step toward ensuring a greener, cleaner, and healthier Bengaluru for future generations,” Khandre added.
The operation involved coordinated action by the Forest Department, local administration, and law enforcement to ensure smooth execution and prevent resistance during the demolition and clearance process.
🚨 In a significant operation carried out since yesterday at Kadugodi Plantation in Bengaluru East Taluk, officials have reclaimed 120 acres of encroached forest land worth ₹4,000 crore. Last week in a meeting I have instructed the officials to reclaim the forest land in… pic.twitter.com/1Mgw5FcuTZ
— Eshwar Khandre (@eshwar_khandre) June 24, 2025
Key Highlights:
- 120 acres reclaimed in Kadugodi Plantation, Bengaluru East
- Land value estimated at ₹4,000 crore
- Total 248 acres reclaimed in 2 years within Bengaluru
- Operation led under instructions of Minister Eshwar Khandre
- Effort aims at environmental protection, forest conservation, and anti-encroachment enforcement
The drive is expected to continue in other parts of the city and state, with the government planning more such actions against illegal encroachment on forest and public lands.
