Talewadi relocation under scanner after complaint
Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary
Karnataka Forest Department
Wildlife Protection Act
Forest Rights Act
In a letter written to the Deputy Conservator of Forest, Belagavi, the Head of Forest Force of Karnataka has issued directions for a fresh report on the ongoing relocation and rehabilitation of villagers from Talewadi village of. Instructions have been issued after a complaint was raised by a villager regarding the process.In the letter dated April 15, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of thehave instructed the local administration to verify the points mentioned by the complainant and file a fresh report on the ongoing process. Notably, a complaint against the ongoing relocation and rehabilitation process was filed by Raghavendra, a resident of the area.The written complaint dated March 27, 2025, was sent to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary to the state Government, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. In the letter, the complainant requested the officials and political leaders to issue directions to the State government to call off the relocation and rehabilitation program in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka.According to the complaint, the relocation of villagers is being conducted without obtaining consent from the Gram Sabha of the local Gram Panchayat, which is a violation of theof 1972, theof 2006, as well as guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Raghavendra, in his complaint, has also underlined lapses in the functioning of the District Level Committee that was formulated to oversee the program.Formed through a government order in 2020, the District Level Committee was established by the State Government under the chairmanship of the District Collector to oversee the relocation process of tribal and other families. The committee also includes the Director or Joint Director of the Social Welfare Department, an officer from the Tribal Welfare Department, the Deputy Director of Land Records, the District Registrar as members, and the Deputy Conservator of Forests as member secretary.However, the letter alleges that key departments were absent from crucial meetings regarding the relocation process. In the first meeting held in August 2024, representatives from the Social Welfare Department, Tribal Welfare Department, Land Records, and District Registrar were not present. The second meeting also lacked representation from the Social Welfare Department and the District Registrar.'RTI response received from the public information officer has revealed that the District Level Committee, constituted by the Government of Karnataka, is not functioning optimally in monitoring the relocation of forest dwellers. The response indicates that the District Level Committee, headed by the District Collector, Belagavi District, has been operating without fair representation from various departments,' he stated in his complaint.Despite the instructions issued by the CWW (Centre for Wildlife Welfare) and APCCF (Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests) (Wildlife) still under implementation, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khnadre visited the village on Thursday and stated that 27 families from Talewadi village have voluntarily agreed to relocate due to the fear of wild animals. He also announced that as an incentive for relocation, a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each will be distributed to the families on May 17 under the first phase. Following this and an assessment by KFD officials, the rest of the compensation (Rs 5 lakh) will also be distributed.
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