BENGALURU: Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble consented to be the brand ambassador for forest and environment, Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) without remuneration for his services, stated Minister of Forest and Environment Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday. Anil Kumble had earlier served as the Vice-President of State Wildlife Board.By making Anil Kumble as the brand ambassador, the Minister said Kumble will engage himself in creating awareness among the people on forest conservation, forest development, tree conservation, wildlife conservation among other activities.Khandre said his (Anil Kumble) experience as a former Vice-President State Wildlife Board would come in handy in discharging the role as a brand ambassador, besides, Kumble is an animal lover himself and concerned for environment conservation.On completion of two-years a Minister of Forests and Environment, Eshwar Khandre said a sprawling garden spread across 153 acres will be developed at Madappanahalli near Yelahanka of Bengaluru city to increase lung space and pointed out “It has been a century that Bengaluru city hasn’t had a sprawling garden after Lalbagh developed by then ruler of Mysore kingdom Hyder Ali and Cubbon Park developed during the British rule.Khandre said, the forest department had given153 acres to Karnataka State Forest Development Corporation and the land given to the Corporation will be taken back on June 2 and steps will be initiated to develop it into a sprawling garden at Madappanahalli near Yelahanka of Bengaluru city.Highlighting the steps initiated by him after taking over as Minister of Forests and Environment, Khandre said as many as 128 acres encroached upon by individuals have been recovered back to the forest department and the total lands recovered is estimated to cost Rs 4,000 crore in the market.In Old Mysuru region, the Minister said, 5050 acres of forest lands were given on lease for a period of 999 years and the lease period has been brought down to 99 years. A gazette notification has been published.To reclaim the leased lands, he said, a legal fight will continue against those individuals who have not given-up their lands despite termination of lease period. Besides, he said, to initiate steps to recover crores of rupees arrears from persons who had taken lands on lease.
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