logo
'Take action to mitigate challenges of Jenu Kurubas'

'Take action to mitigate challenges of Jenu Kurubas'

Time of India18-05-2025
MYSURU: In a significant relief to the 52
Jenu Kuruba families
of
Karadikallu Atturu Kolli
, a tribal hamlet located inside the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, the Union ministry of tribal affairs directed the
tribal welfare department
of Karnataka, to take necessary actions to mitigate the challenges faced by the community.
This hamlet is situated in Ponnampet taluk of Kodagu district, 90 kilometres from the district headquarters of Madikeri.
Since the first week of May, these 52 families returned to their original haadis inside the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. They are seeking rights on their ancestors' land as per the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of
Forest Rights
) Act, 2006. The forest department earlier asked the tribals to leave the haadi. However, the tribal families are demanding
land rights
under the FRA.
According to the Union govt's directive, it asked the state level monitoring committee to monitor the process of recognition and vesting of forest rights and resolve such field-level problems. Consequently, the representation is being forwarded to the state govt to take actions that will mitigate the challenges faced by the community.
According to the activists, all Jenu Kuruba families are now staying inside the tiger reserve.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
Tribal welfare department secretary Randeep D informed, "We will first ask the District Level Committee (DLC) under DC to submit a report for further necessary action," he said.
Jenu Kuruba community leader Shivu said that on May 20, a gram sabha under the forest rights act will be held where the decision on the land rights of the Jenu Kuruba community members will be decided. "We will seek the opinion of our ancestors on our future course of action," he explained. "Out of 10 makeshift huts we built, the forest department demolished four. Now we are staying in three huts while the rest of the huts are dedicated to our gods and ancestors.
The forest department are deputed here to monitor us," he said.
"Recently, they installed a board warning that trespassing inside the tiger protected area is a crime," he added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Say No-Cheese! Eateries Rise To Allergy Challenge
Say No-Cheese! Eateries Rise To Allergy Challenge

Time of India

time28 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Say No-Cheese! Eateries Rise To Allergy Challenge

New Delhi: One busy afternoon at Mesa Lodhi, chef Sandeep Namboodiry faced a diner whose list of restrictions would make most chefs panic. She was vegetarian, lactose intolerant, didn't want anything raw, nothing cold, no rice, and no gluten. "In my head I wondered why she'd even want to eat out at a place like ours, where we serve all kinds of animal protein," Namboodiry recalls. Instead of turning her away, he improvised. "I took an avocado, filled it with mildly spiced marinara sauce and plant-based cheese, and baked it. I wasn't sure what to call it, but I went back and presented it, half expecting her to just politely refuse." To his surprise, she loved it. Not only did she finish it, she ordered it again on her next visit — and soon started bringing other guests who had similar dietary restrictions. "Through her, we found an audience that rarely dined out because they couldn't find places willing to accommodate them," says Namboodiry. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi That single moment transformed the restaurant's approach. Mesa Lodhi invested in separate ovens for gluten-free dishes, kept oil vegetarian-only, created sugar-free and plant-based desserts, and trained staff to handle complex dietary needs. This quiet shift is slowly becoming more visible in Delhi, where newer restaurants and chef-driven brands are treating allergies and intolerances not as inconvenient exceptions, but as part of everyday service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Prettiest Icons In The History The Noodle Box Undo "In the Indian restaurant landscape, awareness around food allergies has grown tremendously over the last few years," says chef and consultant Megha Kohli. At her restaurant Mezze Mambo, allergen awareness starts from training and design. "Our menu includes naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options not by accident, but by design. We also use colour-coded utensils, separate boards and clear labelling to avoid cross-contamination. " At Boya at Malcha Marg, food allergy protocols are woven into daily operations. "Our menu highlights allergens clearly, and staff are trained to proactively ask guests about allergies before an order is placed," says Bhavya Sahu. "We also follow kitchen protocols — separate utensils, clear labelling and regular training — to make sure nothing is left to chance." Transparency is becoming the new standard. "All our menus feature an allergy index and a note encouraging guests to inform the team of allergies not specifically listed," says chef Noah Barnes of Miss Margarita by Arriba. At Ikk Panjab, millet-based rotis are offered as an alternative for those avoiding gluten. "We also pay close attention to our cooking processes and train staff to guide guests through the menu," explains Deepika Sethi. "The goal is a safe and inclusive dining experience." Inclusivity isn't just for premium restaurants. For brands like Wow! Momo, it has become part of their expansion strategy. "We've always seen the momo as more than just a product — it's an emotion rooted in comfort and culture," says Sagar Daryani, co-founder and CEO. "With our new gluten-free range, we are saying indulgence should be for everyone." Yet, making dining safe for everyone isn't easy — or cheap. "Many new outlets are aware, but catering to allergies in totality is challenging," notes a menu consultant. "Separate stations to avoid contamination often mean high investments and larger kitchens, which high city rentals don't allow." Even with strict protocols, says chef Namboodiry, kitchens cannot always promise meals that are 100% allergen-free. "We even source gluten-free products from specialised stores, and use separate ovens and tools, but human error always exists," he says. "It's a risk diners take whenever they eat out." Some older establishments, especially those whose menus rely heavily on dairy and gluten-rich dishes, remain resistant. "They know their butter- and cream-heavy food can never be truly lactose- or gluten-free, so they don't even try," a restaurateur says, requesting anonymity. Yet, across the city, the momentum is building. "In fine dining spaces, especially in restaurants serving seafood, the servers now routinely ask guests if they have allergies," says Sidhant Sharma of Hospitality Xperts. "Healthy concepts like Greenr Café and Whole Foods regularly offer gluten-free and vegan options, proving there is a demand." Behind this evolution is often thoughtful design and detailed training. "We train teams to be extremely careful about lactose and gluten, and make sure there is no cross-contamination," says Sid Mathur of Secret Ingredients, which has consulted for over 300 restaurant projects. "Sensitivity is growing, and chefs today know global standards and substitutes." While dining out is still daunting for anyone with allergies, these new approaches by chefs who learn to cook with better ingredient knowledge mean diners who were once left out can finally find a seat at the table — without fear. At Greenr Cafe, popular dishes such as pizza, pasta, pancakes and smoothie bowls have gluten- and lactose-free options. Made using sundried tomato sauce, oats and millet flour, coconut and almond milk, amaranth muesli, banana cashew creams, these dishes allow diners with food allergies to taste their favourites. According to Nitin Dixit, co-founder of Greenr Cafe, "Due to various lifestyle and environmental factors, we have also observed that food allergies seem to be on the rise amongst our customers. As a cafe serving plant-based foods and striving for transparency, we try to accommodate as many people with food allergies as possible through our menus." However, he regrets that given the risk of micro-allergens entering the dish preparation and the potential for a strong reaction, they now have to refuse service to anyone with severe allergies.

Constructing dams in Kalesar sanctuary will cause irreversible damage, CEC tells SC
Constructing dams in Kalesar sanctuary will cause irreversible damage, CEC tells SC

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Constructing dams in Kalesar sanctuary will cause irreversible damage, CEC tells SC

Gurgaon: Allowing construction of four dams inside Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yamunanagar is likely to cause "irreversible ecological damage, including the loss of critical habitat" for endangered species, the central empowered committee has recommended to the Supreme Court. CEC's advice to the top court came on a plea filed by lawyer Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who last year challenged Haryana govt's approval for the project despite earlier warnings by experts. "Permission to build the four dams inside the sanctuary should be denied. The interim stay on construction, already in place, should continue. The wildlife clearance given by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) should be withdrawn because it was granted without considering these issues properly," CEC said in its July 9 submission to the top court. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Additionally, it said, Haryana's forest department should prepare an alternative watershed management plan to conserve water and prevent flooding without harming the sanctuary. The issue dates to 2016, when the Haryana govt proposed constructing four medium-sized dams – named Chikkan, Kansli, Ambawali and Khillanwalla -- on seasonal tributaries (called khols), which feed into river Pathrala. In 2019, a report by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and a letter by the state's principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) also warned against construction of the dams, saying that these structures could harm wildlife and would not be useful as the streams on which the project was being planned did not carry water all year-round. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Family Adopted A New 'Dog', But When The Vet Sees It He Calls The Police Undo Despite these warnings, Haryana govt approved the project and preliminary work such as site clearance began in the wildlife sanctuary. The SC bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta in April 2024 issued an interim stay on construction of the four dams and directed CEC to inspect the site to investigate the petitioner's allegations. A five-member team of CEC in Oct 2024 visited the sanctuary and noted that there were already eight earthen dams built by the forest department near the proposed sites for the new dams. These structures, the committee's report signed by member secretary Banumathi G said, are being used by wildlife and blend into the habitat without disrupting it. In conclusion, CEC said, the proposal to build dams on tributaries flowing through the sanctuary will lead to permanent destruction of habitat. The committee also raised legal concerns and said that Haryana govt's proposal was not approved by the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) or the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). This approval is mandatory under the Dam Safety Act, 2021. Most importantly, the committee said, the dams are not unavoidable and don't have to be built inside the sanctuary. According to environmental laws, diversion of forest land in protected areas should be allowed only if there is no other option. "The stated objectives of the proposed dams, particularly in relation to irrigation, are not adequately justified, given conflicting data on irrigation dependency and the potential for locating such structures outside the sanctuary… The diversion of forest land for the proposed dams does not meet the threshold of 'unavoidable and site-specific need'," the CEC report said. Asked about the petition and CEC's report, Haryana govt officials said they cannot comment on the issue. "The plan was to construct dams for irrigation in the area. The matter is sub-judice," an irrigation department official said. The petitioner Gaurav Kumar Bansal told TOI that there have been ample warnings about construction of these dams in the sanctuary. "The WII report clearly states that the four dams are not feasible. If these dams are constructed, then around 1 lakh trees will be felled inside the sanctuary. Moreover, no comprehensive ecological mitigation measures have been submitted. The stated dependency on the proposed dams for irrigation purposes has been contradicted by the agriculture department. So, there is no requirement for these dams, especially in a state like Haryana which has the lowest forest cover in the country," Bansal said on Monday. The next date of hearing in the plea is yet to be listed.

Monsoon stalls repair, leaves work on KLIS barrages in limbo
Monsoon stalls repair, leaves work on KLIS barrages in limbo

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Monsoon stalls repair, leaves work on KLIS barrages in limbo

Hyderabad: The Medigadda barrage, along with the Annaram and Sundilla barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), has become unserviceable during this monsoon season. This is due to the state govt's failure to undertake the necessary repairs, as recommended by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), prior to the onset of rains. The Central Designs Organisation (CDO) of the Telangana irrigation department, citing its inability to provide the drawings required for the restoration of the barrages, reportedly asked the engineer-in-chief of the Ramagundam circle, under whose jurisdiction the Kaleshwaram barrages fall, to furnish reports from various investigations recommended by the NDSA. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad However, before this, the engineer-in-chief from Ramagundam had requested the CDO to provide the designs and drawings needed to initiate repair and restoration works at Medigadda and the two other barrages. Despite this apparent deadlock between the two wings of the department, senior officials did not intervene to resolve the issue. A committee constituted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in October 2023, led by J Chandrashekhar Iyer and member secretary Amitabh Meena, investigated the sinking of certain piers in Block 7 of the Medigadda barrage, as well as structural issues in the Annaram and Sundilla barrages. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee pain prices might surprise you Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo The panel submitted a 365-page report, which was received by the Telangana govt in April this year. A senior irrigation official said, "As per the NDSA report, geo-technical and geo-physical investigations are needed to assess the integrity of the upstream and downstream secant pile cut-offs, as well as cavities beneath the raft. Additionally, the condition of the concrete structures and hydro-mechanical components of the barrages must also be assessed." Officials pointed out that these investigations can only be carried out during the summer, when the barrage is empty. With the monsoon season now underway and Medigadda receiving heavy inflows from the Godavari, such work is currently not feasible. All gates are open, allowing water to flow downstream without being diverted.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store