Sandalwood: Karnataka high court notice to state govt

The high court on Monday issued notices to the chief secretary and the principal secretary of the department of the environment, ecology and forests in a petition seeking measures to safeguard sandalwood in the state. Retired forester, writer and activist CH Basapannavar has filed a PIL seeking the constitution of a sandalwood development authority.

He had earlier filed a petition asking for the constitution of the Sandalwood Development Authority and made representations to the state government on November 23, 2009 and December 20, 2010. However, the government failed to communicate  what action it proposed to take. A division bench headed by chief justice JS Khehar ordered issue of notices to the state government.