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Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre on Saturday (July 11, 2026) strongly defended the Karnataka government’s move to reclaim the HMT land in north Bengaluru, asserting that the land is legally classified as forest and would remain so unless it had been validly diverted for non-forest purposes.
Responding to allegations made by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Mr. Khandre maintained that the government’s objective was to preserve one of Bengaluru’s largest remaining green spaces and develop it into a public park larger than Lalbagh and Cubbon Park.
“I have no personal animosity towards Mr. Kumaraswamy. My concern is to protect this green lung for the people of Bengaluru. The HMT land is forest land and belongs to the State,” he said.
Pending before courts
Mr. Khandre rejected Mr. Kumaraswamy’s contention that the State had no claim over the land, pointing out that the matter was pending before the courts. “It is for the judiciary, not political leaders, to decide ownership,” he said, pointing out that Supreme Court rulings had consistently held that land once notified as forest would continue to remain forest unless legally de-notified.
The Minister also clarified that the communication issued by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) was not a notice but an order passed by a quasi-judicial authority under Section 64A of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, after HMT was given an opportunity to produce supporting records.
“If HMT is aggrieved by the order, it is free to challenge it before the competent appellate authority and the High Court,” he said.
Displaying official documents, Mr. Khandre said the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had, in 2018, informed the Karnataka government that the HMT land attracted the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and therefore could not be diverted or sold without statutory approvals.
He also questioned Mr. Kumaraswamy’s assertion that the HMT unit could be revived. Referring to media reports, Mr. Khandre said HMT had already sought removal of its name from the register of companies after ceasing operations. “If the company itself has shut down, on what basis is revival being promised?” he asked.
Forest protection
Highlighting the Forest Department’s work, Mr. Khandre said over 12,204 acres of encroached forest land had been cleared during the past three years, compared with much lower figures in previous years. He added that another 15,000 acres had been notified as forest under the Karnataka Forest Act.
The Minister said the government had also declared 5,678 acres around Hessaraghatta Lake as the Greater Hessaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve and approved development of a 153-acre Basavanna Biodiversity Park near Yelahanka.
Accepting Mr. Kumaraswamy’s challenge to visit the HMT land, Mr. Khandre said he was prepared to do so. “I only hope that no false allegation of trespass is levelled against me again,” he remarked.
Questions VISL promise
The Minister turned the focus on Mr. Kumaraswamy’s tenure as Union Steel Minister, questioning the progress of the proposed revival of the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL) at Bhadravati.
“Last year, he announced that an investment of ₹8,000 crore to ₹10,000 crore would be made and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would lay the foundation stone by the end of 2025. More than a year has passed, but not even ten paise has come,” he alleged.
On KIOCL
Mr. Khandre also accused Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) of causing extensive environmental damage through mining activities and cited findings of a Legislative Committee report that alleged unauthorised raising of the Lakya dam, resulting in submergence of reserve forest land.
He further questioned the delay in setting up the NMDC steel plant at Veniveerapura in Ballari district despite acquisition of over 2,850 acres of land nearly a decade ago.
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