The State government has announced that the compensation awarded to the families of forest martyrs will be increased from ₹30 lakh to ₹50 lakh. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai made the announcement after paying respect to martyrs on the occasion of the National Forest Martyrs’ Day on Sunday.
He said that enhancing the compensation amount would provide more financial security for the dependent family members. “During his tenure as Chief Minister, B.S. Yediyurappa had increased the compensation from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh. The State government on compassionate grounds is doing the welfare of the dependents of martyrs,” he said.
On afforestation activities, Mr. Bommai said the government was aiming to increase the forest cover from 21% to 30%. “In the State, barren forests spread over 4 lakh hectares. Afforestation activities can be taken up in these land,” he said. He added that through budgetary allocation ₹100 crore would be spent on afforestation activities.
