The Karnataka government has decided to nominate former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble as forest and wildlife ambassador. Forest Biology and Environment Minister Ishwar B. Khandre gave this information on Tuesday. Addressing the journalists, Khandre said that Anil Kumble, who was the Vice President of the Karnataka Wildlife Board, is world famous and will help create awareness among the public about forest protection, forest development and wildlife conservation.

During this, Khandre said that “Anil Kumble is very concerned about wildlife. He loves the forests. Therefore, he has agreed to become ambassadors without any remuneration.” On Tuesday, after his completion of two years as a forest minister, Khandre also shared a glimpse of his achievements and future plans.

Further, Khandre said that about 8,848 forest festivals have been organized in the last two years and about eight and a half crore saplings have been planted and taken care of on forest areas, roads and government land. He said that in the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, a total of 1,20,975 hectares of tree plantation, 25 new tree plantation sites and 35 forests have been developed.

The Environment Minister further stated that “Lalbagh was built in Bangalore at the time of Hyder Ali. While Kabban Park was built under British rule. Even after a century, a second big park has not been built in Bengaluru. So after I became a forest minister, 153 acres of land which was given to Karnataka Forest Development Corporation to grow Nilgiri, will be taken back on June 2 and a park will be made there.” The minister expressed concern that the forest land of Bengaluru has been encroached for decades and 128 acres of encroached forest land has been freed in the last two years.

With agency input