Karnataka, Feb 27 : In formal complaints to Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre and the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), a wildlife activist has alleged that a wind power company in Karnataka violated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regulations. The activist has called for a thorough investigation, citing violations of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (VSESA, 1980).
The complaint revolves around a vehicle donated to the Belagavi Forest Division of the Karnataka Forest Department under CSR. The activist claims that the division had already received one vehicle from the company, with more expected soon. “It is crucial to determine whether the vehicle was provided under CSR, whether the funds used for its purchase were part of a pending penalty payment, and if any financial dues were involved,” the letter states.
Significantly, a few years ago, the MoEF&CC’s regional office conducted a site inspection while reviewing the renewal of forest clearance for 221.80 hectares of forest land in Jogimatti and Marikanive forest ranges in Chitradurga district, where the wind power project was established. The report recommended action against the company for violating VSESA, 1980. Allegedly, the same company applied for wildlife clearance, but the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife deferred its request in October 2024.
The complaint further claims that the company committed similar violations in Belagavi district while executing another wind power project, as detailed in a report submitted by the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) in February 2014. The reported infractions include unauthorized construction, exceeding approved forest land usage, cutting jungle wood trees, and encroaching on protected land. The 2014 report also noted that, given these repeated violations, the PCCF (HoFF) had recommended in April 2013 that the Karnataka government revoke or forfeit the lease under Section 82 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963.
