The alleged illegal cutting of thousands of trees at Kauri Gudda in Badal Ankalagi village, located in the Belagavi Rural constituency represented by Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, has turned into a major political issue. Belagavi Taluk Rural BJP block president Dhananjay Jadhav visited the site on Tuesday and held talks with forest officials. He warned that BJP workers would stage a protest outside the DCF’s office if those responsible are not arrested by Wednesday.
Jadhav called for a detailed investigation into the decision to allot what he termed forest-like land for a solar power project and the subsequent large-scale tree cutting. He claimed that nearly 55 acres of revenue department land within one kilometre of the site, which was suitable for development, was overlooked. “Instead of choosing flat and barren land, a green area that supports hundreds of peacocks and other wildlife was approved. Neither the tahsildar nor the deputy commissioner inspected the site before granting permission,” he alleged.
DCF Kranti N.E. told reporters that prior approval from the forest department is mandatory before carrying out large-scale tree felling. He added that on-site inspections by concerned officials are necessary before recommending land for any project. “I have requested the deputy commissioner to review the powers given to tahsildars while approving land, especially in sensitive cases like this,” he said.
Belagavi tahsildar Basavaraj Nagaral admitted that he did not personally visit the site before recommending the land for the solar project. “The spot inspection was conducted by the revenue inspector. Based on his report, I forwarded the proposal to the DC for approval,” he said. Nagaral further stated that the land was identified by Hescom officials and that his role was limited to checking land availability as per the prescribed checklist.
