Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Oct 18: State forest minister, C P Yogeshwar, said that the first priority of the state government is to preserve the forests it already has, instead of spending crores of rupees towards raising new forests. He also said that steps will soon be taken to fill the posts of forest guards that are lying vacant since long.

Speaking to press persons at temple town Subrahmanya in the taluk, Yogeshwar said that the government plans to segregate separate sections of forests for tourists, as people who enter sanctuary for fun and frolic create problems for the animals.

He said that in the past, reserve forest had been given to 250 families for raising cardamom in this region, and that 5,000 families are dependent on this farming activity now. He explained that if these farmers are prepared to leave these forests as per the Supreme Court order, the state cabinet will soon decide on the disbursement of Rs 50 crore as compensation to them.

Noting that forest in Sutatmale, Sulekeri etc within Subrahmanya reserve forest are facing destruction because of hunt for precious stones, he said additional personnel with modern arms will be deployed to stop this loot.

Replying to a question, he said that the Chief Minister has already instructed the concerned not to take any hasty steps relating to bringing several villages and adjoining forests within the limits of proposed Pushpagiri wildlife sancturary. Relating to a plea made by people who had taken forest land on lease for agriculture to renew their leases, the minister said the needful would be done.

The minister, who had come to Subrahmanya with his family members, stayed there on Sunday night, and left after performing various puja rituals at the temple on Monday. Forest conservator, Shantappa, deputy forest conservator, Opalaiah, assistant forest conservator, Kishore Kumar, range forest officers, Balakrishna, Subrahmanya Rao, Sundar Shetty, B Manohar Chittawadagi, and others accompanied him.