Former Indian cricket team captain Anil Kumble has been appointed ambassador of the Karnataka Forest Department and for wildlife conservation. Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre on Tuesday announced Mr. Kumble’s nomination; the former cricketer has served as vice-chairman of the Karnataka Wildlife Board earlier. Mr. Khandre said that Mr. Kumble will raise public awareness on forest conservation, afforestation, tree preservation, and wildlife protection. No honorarium He added that Mr. Kumble had agreed to be the ambassador without accepting any honorarium. “I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of Karnataka and the Minister Eshwar Khandre for appointing me as the Ambassador of Karnataka State Forest Department and Wildlife Conservation. I will strive to continue my work towards creating awareness about the diversity of flora and fauna of our state, supporting wildlife conservation and the development of the frontline personnel of the Forest Department,” Mr. Kumble said in a post on X. Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Khandre said that 128 acres of encroached forestland worth ₹4,000 crore had been cleared in the past two years in Bengaluru. In the last two years, 1,205 encroachment cases had been registered and 6,251.31 acres of forest land had been reclaimed across the State, he said. Park in Yelahanka He added that to develop green space in Bengaluru, the government had decided to build a new park on 153 acres of land near Yelahanka. “The 153-acre land previously allocated to Karnataka Forest Development Corporation for growing eucalyptus will be reclaimed by the Forest Department on June 2 and developed into a park,” he added.