Overview

• Anil Kumble has accepted the unpaid ambassador role to raise public awareness on forest conservation, development, tree protection and wildlife preservation.
• He leverages experience as former vice-president of Karnataka’s State Wildlife Board to guide outreach and advocacy.
• Over the past two years, the department held 8,848 Vanamahotsavas and planted about 8.5 crore saplings across forests, roadsides and government lands, distributing 3.7 crore to farmers.
• The Forest Department reclaimed 128 acres of encroached land, issued a gazette cutting 999-year leases to 99 years and is contesting a Supreme Court petition to block the sale of 444 acres worth Rs 14,300 crore.
• On June 2 the department will repossess 153 acres at Madappanahalli near Yelahanka and plans to lay the foundation for a major new Bengaluru urban park within two months.