B'lureans stage protest against 'sudden' transfer of ACF Ravindra Kumar

Bengaluru: Nearly a fortnight after the state government ordered the sudden transfer of Assistant Conservator of Forests (Bengaluru Urban) Ravindra Kumar, Bengalureans staged a peaceful protest demanding that the government reinstate the officer.

Recognising the yeoman service done by Kumar in recovering 130 acres of forest land from private encroachments, citizens under the banner of “Save Bangalore’s Lung Space” expressed anguish at the transfer alleging that the same was done at the behest of the encroachers and under political pressure. The protest was held at Town Hall on October 17 morning. 

Speaking to media persons, Prasad, a member of the Eco-Volunteers India said that despite assurances given by the government, that a good officer like Ravindra will not be transferred, they buckled to the pressure exerted by few political leaders. “Ravindra transfer was done simply because land mafia was aware that an honest officer like him would recover the land encroached by them illegally. He has been replaced with an officer whose retirement is due within next six months,” said Prasad adding that if the government fails to reinstate him a group of 15 like-minded organisations would take the battle to the court.

Prasad further highlighted that the city of Bengaluru which is grappling with the problem of pollution needs to save its lung spaces, towards which end officers like Ravindra have been working. 

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who heads the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, had signed Ravindra’s transfer order on October 5, and he has not given any further posting. 

The reason for the transfer is being attributed to the recovery of 10 acres of forest land (Section 4 declared forest in Survey no 37 of Sunkadakatte, Bangalore South).