Natural growth has been cleared to make way for plantations in this Karnataka plantation near Mysuru, Karnataka, in violation of CAF guidelines.
Case Analysis
The 38.69-ha plantation at Attiguppe is one of two sites meant to compensate for the diversion of 46.70 ha of forest land for the construction of an irrigation tank near Bailukuppe, Mysuru District.
The total budget for this project is Rs. 43,42,824 to plant 31,314 saplings (approximately 138 rs/sapling). The Forest Department reports planting 4 species but does not list which. This 5-year project was launched in 2013 and was planted on revenue land (non-forest).
Satellite Imagery Analysis
The 2012 imagery shows natural growth, which was cleared by 2014 and plantations are visible.
Implications
A large area of natural forest growth has been cleared and plantations taken up on the cleared area, a clear violation of the letter and spirit behind the compensatory afforestation guideline.
Cost per tree is high
e-Green Watch Record
