Windmills in Koyna forest told to evict

The state forest department has issued eviction notices to 49 windmills stating that they have illegally encroached on forest land at Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in Satara district. The department action has come following the Bombay high court observation which highlighted that around 206 windmills and resorts have been built by private parties inside the sanctuary encroaching on wildlife habitat.

Assistant conservator of forest NB Galkatti confirmed that notices have been issued: “The parties have been served eviction notices and they have been told to remove the windmills within two months; or else, legal action would be initiated against them.”

The high court had on October 18, 2010 directed the forest department to take appropriate action against the erring windmills and resorts in the sanctuary. The direction was given during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by social activist Nana Khamkar.    

Khamkar’s petition stated that the collector should cancel all illegal land deals which have taken place in violation of Section 20 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. As regard to illegal erection of wind mills, resorts, tree cutting and construction of roads, the petition prays that the court may order cancellation of all illegal land transfers that have taken place after 1985.