Bengaluru, June 24 -- The forest department on Monday cleared 120 acres of encroached forest land in Survey No 1 of the Kadugodi plantation, located in Bidarahalli Hobli of Bengaluru East taluk, according to an official.

The operation, carried out following directions from forest, environment and ecology minister Eshwar Khandre, was spearheaded by officials of the Bengaluru Urban forest division.

An official said that the drive was conducted with the aid of heavy machinery and under tight police security. After removing encroachments, the department demarcated the forest land boundaries and planted native saplings in the area as part of a long-term ecological restoration effort, the official said.

Minister Eshwar Khandre said, "I have ...