Bangalore: Forest minister B Ramanath Rai told the legislative council that the demarcation of forest and revenue land was already underway. The government has constituted three committees, at the district, divisional and state level, for verification and finalization of village and survey numbers of deemed forest areas. He was replying after many members expressed concern that thousands of farmers would lose their livelihood and land if the old forest records are taken into account.

The nature of many areas has changed, with the forest areas transforming into revenue and vice-versa,” the members lamented to the minister in the house. The Government will take into consideration the changed terrain and is planning to leave out the erstwhile forests, which have now lost the forest nature, and give it the status of a revenue land.

RK Siddaramanna (BJP) sought relaxation of rules governing the agri-forests and an amendment to the Tree Protection Act to make it easier for people to grow and cut trees on their land.

Former forest minister CH Vijayashankar (BJP) sought the relaxation on growing sandalwood trees. A tonne of sandalwood costs Rs 55 lakh, he said. In the past, we used to export sandalwood. But now, we are importing sandalwood from Australia,” he said. He also suggested to the government to bring out a regional forest policy.