Transfer of forester who took on mafia revoked

Bengaluru: The government has decided to withdraw its order transferring range forest officer Ganesh Rao attached to Bannerghatta National Park (BNP).

Punati Sridhar, principal chief conservator of forests (head of forest force), confirmed to TOI that the transfer order has been withdrawn.

Ganesh Rao’s transfer from BNP to the Karnataka Rubber Board office in Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, had turned controversial with social activists launching an online petition seeking his reinstatement. The petition had alleged that he was transferred for taking on the encroachment and quarry mafia and that Ganesh hadn’t even served the minimum six months in his current post. Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy issued the transfer order at the behest of the mafia, the petition claimed.

Sources in the forest department said the decision was taken after forest minister Satish Jarkiholi held a meeting on the issue with the principal chief conservator of forests on Saturday. “The proposal has been sent to the CM’s office for further action,” added the source.

The petition posted on July 18 on Change.org garnered support of 1,800 signatures in two days. Petitioner Kiran Madangopal said, “Happy to announce that people’s voices have been heard, and Ganesh Rao’s transfer has been cancelled .”