Belagavi: It has been more than one week since the large-scale tree felling in Badal Ankalagi village came to light, and no action has been initiated against any official or the contractor responsible for it.The scale of destruction triggered anger among environmentalists, farmers and social organisations, and the BJP asked how such extensive felling went unchecked. They alleged that even sandalwood trees were cut and removed, and demanded an immediate, impartial inquiry and strict action against those responsible.
A large number of trees were felled on revenue department land in Badal Ankalagi village under the Belagavi Forest Range for a solar plant project. Activists said both the revenue and forest departments were responsible, particularly forest officials who are duty-bound to protect natural resources irrespective of land ownership.Deputy conservator of forest Kranti NE, speaking to TOI, said an FIR was registered and 1 accused was arrested. “The assistant conservator of forest issued a notice to the Belagavi tahsildar and range forest officer seeking an explanation,” he said.Not an isolated caseThe Badal Ankalagi incident is not an isolated one. No accountability was fixed in a series of alleged irregularities that were reported in the Belagavi forest division in recent months. No disciplinary action was taken in the electrocution deaths of two elephants in the Nagargali range in Nov 2025 and the death of 32 blackbucks at Bhutaramanahatti zoo, both raising questions over supervision and accountability.Apart from this, many other violations were found in the Belagavi division, such as renovation works at the Belagavi Forest Complex and the Inspection Bungalow costing over Rs 1 crore without proper tender procedures, the procurement of vehicles using CSR funds from a private wind energy company, which is facing allegations of Forest Act violations, and failure to regulate trespassing at Vajrapoha falls.Other concerns raised include alleged sub-standard entrance arch work at Hemmadaga in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, payment of relocation compensation to ineligible beneficiaries in Talewadi, and illegal drone operations at Vajrapoha and Chikhale Falls within the eco-sensitive zone.Despite repeated representations to higher authorities, including forest minister Eshwar Khandre, activists alleged that responses largely remained on paper, with no visible disciplinary proceedings.Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni said weak implementation of the Transfer Counselling Management System (TCMS) in the department contributed to indiscipline and lack of accountability. He claimed a senior officer in the Circle continued in the same post for 4 years, raising concerns over the concentration of authority and weakened internal checks.
