Tree 420: Nature school that chops trees

Tree 420: Nature school that chops trees
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MLC Mohan Kondajji’s Nataraja Gurukula, which was accused of encroaching on forest land in 2017, has just felled 280 trees in Sunkadakatte, Kanakapura

A member of the legislative council (MLC), who claims to have got the coveted post for his contribution to preserving the environment, has been accused of destroying 280 trees in the forest land that was leased to him by the government for 30 years. At least four cases, including illegally chopping down 76 sandalwood trees, have been booked against Nataraja Gurukula, where MLC Mohan Kondajji is the trustee.

Located about 35 kms away from Central Bengaluru, Nataraja Gurukala claims to be a nature awareness and adventure academy. It has come up on a forest land at Sunkadakatte village in Uttarahalli division. The Gurukula was set up by Freddy Van De Borght, a Belgium national, for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. After the Belgian Swami’s death in 2006, the Gurukula appears to have lost its purpose and has run into many troubles with the forest department.

While the forest department lodged three cases (felling sandalwood trees, encroachment of ten acres of forest land and attempt to encroach forest land) against Nataraja Gurukula in 2017, a fresh case was booked against the institution last year “for destroying the planted seedlings to encroach on to the forest land”.

When BM visited the spot, there was no sign of any activity in the campus. The compound was fenced and the gates were locked. A signboard warned visitors of dogs. There were a couple of tents inside the compound which was easy to spot from the road.

Sandalwood trees have been chopped and others set ablaze in the ‘adventure camp’ that Nataraja Gurukul runs; an FIR was registered about it last year

Sandalwood trees have been chopped and others set ablaze in the ‘adventure camp’ that Nataraja Gurukul runs; an FIR was registered about it last year



Leased for 30 years

Although the eight-acre land was declared as reserved forest under section 4 of the Indian Forest Act in 1987, the SM Krishna-government in 2001 had leased the land to Nataraja Gurukula on the grounds that it was ‘Kharab Land’ (unfit for cultivation). “Since the land is being utilised for imparting training, approval of the Cabinet is solicited to grant 8 acres of land on lease basis for a period of 30 years at the lease rent of Rs 200 per acre for adventure, nature awareness and related activities,” the cabinet note reads. The note, however, does not specify that the eight-acre land is a forest land.
It was only in 2017 that the Gurukula came under the scanner of forest department. The department, in its letter to the revenue department, questioned on what grounds a notified forest land was leased to a private party without the clearance and concurrence from the central government. The forest officials had also requested the District Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban to cancel the lease.

Forest department had lodged three cases against Nataraja Gurukula in 2017

Forest department had lodged three cases against Nataraja Gurukula in 2017


The issue came up again last month when MLC Mohan Kondajji wrote to the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, seeking to withdraw court cases filed against the Gurukula. Kondajji said he was unable to take up the work of building a training centre inside the Gurukula due to the court case. He also attached three letters from MLC CM Lingappa, MP GC Chandrashekar and MP Hanumanthaiah who had given Rs 5 to Rs 15 lakh towards the construction under MPLAD funds.


Kondajji’s letter seeking permission to construct permanent structures inside the forest land has only come as a shock to the officials. “This is highly atrocious and objectionable. The MLC is using public money to build structures in a land that is forest land in all its legal meanings. It is also a violation of the Supreme Court order and also against the lease agreement,” sources in the forest department said.

Kondajji, however, refuted allegations of burning and cutting down trees. “The charges against me are absolutely false. The land was given to me through a cabinet decision. It was barren land which we developed by planting many saplings. We are in fact protecting the forest land. I, in fact, was given the post of MLC for my contribution to environment.” he said. He also showed photos of people including police officers being trained in rock-climbing and mountaineering at the Gurukula.


The tussle between the forest department and Kondajji has also raised questions over cabinet decision. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, no forest land can be leased out or granted to any person or authority for non-forestry purposes without the prior approval of the Central Government. Even the state government does not have the powers to use or lease forest land for non-forestry purposes without the Central government’s approval.
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