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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
KGF to hold convention on June 9 to address farmers' issues
Chikkamagaluru: In order to find solutions for the long-pending issues of coffee growers and the farming community in the district, the Karnataka Growers Federation (KGF) organised a convention in Chikkamagaluru on June 9. All taluk and hobli farmers' associations in the district, along with like-minded organisations, expressed their support for the gathering. The aim of this convention was to draw govt's attention to the long-standing issues faced by the farmers of the Malnad region. Karnataka Growers Federation president Halase Shivanna urged farmers, entrepreneurs, and workers from coffee-growing areas to participate in large numbers. He highlighted issues such as the unjust cancellation of lands approved under forms 50 and 53 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, the sudden acquisition of farmers' agricultural lands under Section 4(1) of the Forest Act, and the classification of long-cultivated lands as "deemed forest". He also pointed to the increasing damage and disruption caused by wild animals like elephants and Indian bison to agricultural activities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Cuadro Nacional (ver precio) Verisure Undo He accused officials of delaying the processing of applications for leasing unauthorised plantations and claimed that govt is neglectful in distributing plots to the homeless in Malnad. "These issues will be discussed and brought to govt's attention," he said. "The coffee industry is a key sector in the state's economy, providing employment to thousands within and outside the state and contributing hundreds of crores to the national treasury. However, many govt regulations are proving detrimental to coffee growers. Particularly, issues related to the forest and revenue departments pose significant challenges. It is time to collectively address govt's indifferent attitude towards coffee growers," Shivanna said. A procession will be held from the Chikmagalur taluk office premises to Azad Park on the morning of June 9, followed by the convention. MK Pranesh, deputy chairman of the legislative council; MP Kota Srinivas Poojari; MLAs HD Thammaiah, TD Rajegowda, Nayana Motamma, GH Srinivas, KS Anand, and MLC CT Ravi will be the key guests. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Greens slam forest dept over ‘contradictory' conservation policies
Belagavi: Environmentalists have raised serious concerns over what they describe as the forest department's 'hypocritical' approach to conservation — evicting long-standing forest-dwelling communities under the guise of wildlife protection , only to later allow tourism and infrastructure projects in the same ecologically sensitive areas. The latest flashpoint is the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district, a vital ecological zone in the Western Ghats. The forest department has worked to relocate families from 13 hamlets in the sanctuary for over a decade, citing forest and wildlife conservation as the rationale. On Saturday, forest minister Eshwar Khandre is scheduled to distribute compensation cheques to 32 families in Talewadi hamlet, marking the first phase of the rehabilitation process. However, controversy erupted after tourism minister HK Patil recently announced plans for an 18km wildlife safari within the same sanctuary, claiming it would boost tourism in the region. Environmental groups say the move exposes govt's contradictory stance. "How can govt justify evicting forest dwellers for wildlife protection while simultaneously planning a commercial safari? This is nothing short of hypocrisy," said Ravindra Saini, head of Paryavarani, an environmental NGO. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Saini also criticised the department's approach when BWS was first declared a sanctuary in 2011. "We recommended including a larger area under protection, but only one-third was notified. Now, instead of strengthening conservation, they're opening it up for tourism," he said. BWS is home to a diverse range of species including sloth bears, black panthers, tigers, chital, pangolins, king cobras, Indian bison, and critically endangered Wroughton's free-tailed bats. Environmentalists fear that increased human activity through tourism could disrupt their fragile habitat. BWS not an isolated case Conservationists point to similar contradictions in other protected areas across the state: Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR), Uttara Kannada: Between 2020 and 2025, 498 families were relocated under the banner of wildlife protection. Forest officials publicly claimed success in making KTR "human-free." Yet, in a seeming policy reversal, the department has since identified 39 trekking routes in areas from which forest dwellers were rehabilitated. Castle Rock Wildlife Range, Dandeli: In recent years, 58 families were evicted from this part of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. However, the forest department has now recommended approving the Goa-Tamnar 400 kV transmission line, which cuts through the same area, resulting in the felling of more than 72,000 trees. A total of 167 hectares has been allocated for the project, including 70 hectares in Belagavi division, 65 in Haliyal, and 32 in Castle Rock, land previously vacated by residents. Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary (SLTM): The Karnataka State Board for Wildlife (KSBWL) recently cleared the proposal for a 2,000 MW pumped storage power project by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), right in the heart of the sanctuary. The project will require 352.7 acres, including 133.8 acres of forest land, for building a power station and 7km-long tunnels between Talakalale and Gerusoppa reservoirs. At the same time, the forest department is processing rehabilitation claims from 28 families in the area. Environmentalists warn that such policies not only displace vulnerable forest-dwelling communities but also pave the way for commercial exploitation of ecologically critical zones, undermining the very goals of conservation. "No responsible govt can justify evicting people in the name of wildlife protection and then opening those same spaces for commercial projects. These actions severely damage trust and violate the principles of sustainable development," another environmentalist said on condition of anonymity.
