Latest news with #KondaSurekha
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribal outcry forces govt to put tiger corridor GO on hold
Hyderabad: In a U-turn, Telangana govt on Monday put govt order (GO) 49 in abeyance following protests from tribals, opposition parties, and even voices within the Congress. The order, issued on May 30, notified 1,492.88 sq km across Asifabad and Kagaznagar forest divisions as the Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve, intended to formalize a crucial tiger corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba Andhari reserve in Maharashtra. Amid growing fears of displacement in nearly 339 tribal villages and a complete bandh in the erstwhile Adilabad district on Monday, the state govt was compelled to retract. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The decision was made after a delegation led by panchayat raj minister D Anasuya (Seethakka), Adilabad in charge minister Jupally Krishna Rao, forest minister Konda Surekha, and local MLA Vedma Bhojju met chief minister A Revanth Reddy. "The Congress-led people's govt will always stand by the children of the forest. Adivasis and tribals should not have any concerns over GO 49," Konda Surekha told the media in Warangal. Widespread Resistance and Fear of Eviction The GO sparked backlash from tribal rights groups, including Tudum Debba, whose leader, Godam Ganesh, said the corridor will adversely impact tribal livelihoods and lead to mass displacements. "We fear it will affect 339 tribal villages across Asifabad and Kagaznagar," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo A bandh called by Tudum Debba on Monday, shut down businesses, schools, and public transport across four districts. CPI and CPM functionaries also extended support to the agitation, accusing the govt of attempting to alienate tribal land. The protests were further fuelled by a letter — allegedly from CPI (Maoist) — which called on Seethakka to ensure protection for tribals in the affected areas. Seethakka, who has tribal roots and is an ex-Maoist herself, questioned the letter's authenticity, but said she would not allow any decision that harmed forest-dwelling communities. "The moment concerns were raised about GO 49, I spoke directly with relevant officials. I will never allow any policy to harm tribal livelihoods in the name of forest or wildlife conservation," she said. Ecological Significance of the Corridor The now-suspended Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve was conceived as a vital ecological link for tiger movement and genetic exchange between major reserves. The area connects Kawal with Tadoba, Tipeshwar, Kanhargaon, Chaprala in Maharashtra, and Indravati in Chhattisgarh. Apart from tigers, it supports leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, wolves, hyenas, and over 240 bird species, including the endangered Malabar pied hornbill and long-billed vulture. According to the GO, the presence of breeding tigers and consistent inter-state dispersal events over the last decade underscore the importance of the region for long-term conservation. The proposed area includes 78 reserved forest blocks across 10 mandals. Conservationists Disappointed at Policy Reversal While tribal communities welcomed the decision, wildlife experts expressed concern over the govt's handling of the matter. "The decision to keep Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve in abeyance following tribal protests is unfortunate — not because the concerns of local communities are invalid, but because it reflects a failure of dialogue," Imran Siddiqui, senior field conservationist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies and co-founder of HYTICOS, said. "Conservation should never be imposed, but co-created with the people who have lived in and protected these forests for generations. Rather than abandon protection, we must work harder to build trust and ensure that conservation uplifts both nature and indigenous livelihoods," he said. Efforts by forest officers to allay fears and communicate that no immediate evictions are planned failed to gain traction. The forest department has now been asked to submit a fresh report, and the CM's office has indicated the policy may be revisited after further consultations. A senior forest officer told TOI: "We are hoping the GO will be revived later. We will continue to crack down on encroachments on forest land."
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribal outcry forces govt to put GO on tiger corridor in abeyance
Hyderabad: In a U-turn, the Telangana govt on Monday put govt order (GO) 49 in abeyance following protests from tribals, opposition parties, and even voices within the ruling Congress. The order, issued on May 30, notified 1,492.88 sq km across Asifabad and Kagaznagar forest divisions as the Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve, intended to formalise a crucial tiger corridor linking Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba Andhari reserve in Maharashtra. However, amid growing fears of displacement in nearly 339 tribal villages, and a complete bandh in the erstwhile Adilabad district on Monday, the govt was compelled to retract. The decision was made after a delegation led by panchayat raj minister D Anasuya (Seethakka), Adilabad in charge minister Jupally Krishna Rao, forest minister Konda Surekha, and local MLA Vedma Bhojju met chief minister A Revanth Reddy. "The Congress-led people's govt will always stand by the children of the forest. Adivasis and tribals should not have any concerns over GO 49," forest minister Konda Surekha told the media in Warangal. Widespread Resistance and Fear of EvictionThe GO sparked backlash from tribal rights groups, including Tudum Debba, whose leader Godam Ganesh said the corridor would adversely impact tribal livelihoods and lead to mass displacement. "We fear it will affect 339 tribal villages across Asifabad and Kagaznagar," he said. A bandh, called by Tudum Debba on Monday, shut down businesses, schools, and public transport across four districts. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad CPI and CPM leaders also extended support to the agitation, accusing the govt of attempting to alienate tribal land. The protests were further fuelled by a letter — allegedly from CPI (Maoist) — which called on minister Seethakka to ensure protection for tribals in affected areas. Seethakka, who has tribal roots and was an ex-Maoist herself, dismissed the letter's authenticity but said she would not allow any decision that harmed forest-dwelling communities. "The moment concerns were raised about GO 49, I spoke directly with relevant officials. I will never allow any policy to harm tribal livelihoods in the name of forest or wildlife conservation," she said. Ecological Significance of the Corridor The now-suspended Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve was conceived as a vital ecological link for tiger movement and genetic exchange between major reserves. The area connects Kawal with Tadoba, Tipeshwar, Kanhargaon, Chaprala in Maharashtra, and Indravati in Chhattisgarh. It supports not only tigers but also leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, wolves, hyenas, and over 240 bird species, including the endangered Malabar pied hornbill and long-billed vulture. According to the GO, the presence of breeding tigers and consistent inter-state dispersal events over the past decade underscore the importance of the region for long-term conservation. The proposed area includes 78 reserved forest blocks across 10 mandals. Conservationists Disappointed at Policy ReversalWhile tribal communities welcomed the decision, wildlife experts expressed concern over the govt's handling of the matter. "The decision to keep the Kumuram Bheem Conservation Reserve in abeyance following tribal protests is unfortunate — not because the concerns of local communities are invalid, but because it reflects a failure of dialogue," said Imran Siddiqui, senior field conservationist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies and co-founder of HYTICOS. "Conservation should never be imposed, but co-created with the people who have lived in and protected these forests for generations. Rather than abandon protection, we must work harder to build trust and ensure that conservation uplifts both nature and indigenous livelihoods," he said. Efforts by forest officials to allay fears and communicate that no immediate evictions were planned failed to gain traction. The forest department has now been asked to submit a fresh report, and the CM's office has indicated the policy might be revisited after further consultations. A senior forest official told TOI, "We are hoping the GO will be revived later. We will continue to crack down on encroachments of forest land. "
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
GO 49 to create new tiger conservation reserve kept in abeyance over Adivasi concerns
The State government on Monday (July 21) declared that the proposal to create Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve — tiger corridor area connecting Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra — is being kept in abeyance. The State government's decision comes in the wake of concerns raised by tribals and public representatives across tribal areas and detailed discussions held with various stakeholders. The GO.49 dated May 30, 2025, issued by Environment, Forests, Science & Technology department, potentially displaces tribal residents in more than 330 villages from their traditional habitat and restricts their forest rights and livelihoods. It aims at converting 1.49 lakh hectares across multiple forest ranges in Kumurambheem-Asifabad district, including Asifabad, Kerameri, Rebbena, Tiryani, Kagaznagar, Sirpur, Karjelli, Bejjur, and Penchikalpet into the 'Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve' as an extension to Kawal Tiger Reserve. Adivasi organisations who led sustained protests had maintained that the order was violative of their rights as per Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, that aims at empowering tribal communities in the country's Scheduled Areas. The government, sensing widespread protests, called for a report from the District Collector to address the situation comprehensively. Later, the situation was also studied and reviewed by Minister for Forests Konda Surekha, Adilabad District In-charge Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and Minister for Panchayat Raj Dansari Anasuya. According to officials, the findings and recommendations were submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy by the District Collector on July 11, and the decision to withhold the order until further notice followed on Monday. Ms. Surekha stated: 'Congress government is people's government. We will never take any decision that harms the rights or livelihoods of Adivasis and tribal communities. The concerns of the local people have been heard, and action has been taken accordingly. The welfare of every citizen, especially our tribal brothers and sisters, remains our top priority.'
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Minister's nod now must for temples to get budget sanctions
Hyderabad: In a development that can have far-reaching consequences, all 6A and 6B category temples in the State will now have to send their annual budget proposals to the government for approval. Budget proposals that are more than Rs 10 lakh will be passed only after they are approved by the Endowments Minister after a thorough examination. This move comes in the wake of the existing practices whereby temple officials are getting budget approvals without bringing it to the notice of the government. According to department officials, the decision has been taken as per rules prescribed in the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act 1987. Sources in the department said that recently it had come to the attention of Endowments Minister Konda Surekha that department officials were taking decisions without placing such proposals before the government. Hence, the minister has directed endowment officials to send the annual budgets of 6(A), 6(B) to the government for approval. Temples in the state are classified under 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D categories. The 6A temples are further classified into Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Joint Commissioner cadres. There are three temples under 6A-JC cadre (Vemulawada, Bhadrachalam and Yadagirigutta) which boast of an annual income of Rs five crore and above. Under the 6A-DC cadre come 15 temples with an income of Rs three crore and above. The 6A-AC cadre temples have an income limit of Rs one-two crore, whereas the income limit of 6B temples is between Rs two lakh and Rs 25 lakh. Small temples, whose annual income is between Rs 50,000 and Rs two lakh fall under the 6C category. Meanwhile, mutts are classified under 6D without any income criterion. Sources informed that when public representatives ask the minister for budget allocations for temples in their constituencies, he/she is hard pressed for answers as they are done at the low administrative level and not under the scrutiny of the minister. Official sources said that the minister has used the powers specified under Section 154 of the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act-1987 to ensure proper management of temples and the process more transparent. Now, all annual budget proposals of temples falling under Section 6(A) and 6(B) should be submitted to the government for approval before obtaining sanction. A senior official said that these orders were in line with the intent of Sections 34 and 154 of the Act, which provide for budget approval and government oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the administration of temples.
Hans India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Minister Konda Surekha Inaugurates Grand Pancha Kundatmaka Rudra Pashupata Homam in Jogulamba Gadwal
Jogulamba Gadwal: As part of the sacred Pancha Kunda Rudra Pashupata Homam, Minister for Endowments Smt. Konda Surekha formally inaugurated the grand spiritual event today by lighting the ceremonial lamp (Jyoti Prajvalana). Speaking on the occasion, she emphasized the importance of such spiritual events and offered key assurances related to temple priests. Addressing the gathering, Minister Konda Surekha stated that she would take up the issue of hiking salaries and benefits for temple priests with the Chief Minister and make all possible efforts to ensure suitable arrangements are made in this regard. Her commitment was well-received by the audience, especially among the priest community. The Minister further highlighted the need to organize such spiritual and cultural programs across all districts, particularly for the upliftment and guidance of youth. She noted that rituals like these not only uphold spiritual traditions but also play a role in social harmony and cultural continuity. The event was organized under the auspices of State President Vasudeva Sharma, Jogulamba Gadwal District President, and Selected Committee Member Chakravarthi Charyulu. The rituals were performed with great sanctity and grandeur under the leadership of Vedic scholars and Ritwiks. The first day of the Homam witnessed an awe-inspiring fire invocation (Agni Prajvalana), marking the beginning of the ceremonies. The well-coordinated execution of rituals ensured that the inaugural day's proceedings were a resounding spiritual success. Organizers informed that MLAs, MPs, and Ministers from various districts are expected to participate in tomorrow's rituals, which will further elevate the significance of the event. This multi-day sacred ritual is being conducted with a deep commitment to Vedic traditions, aiming not only for divine blessings but also for reinforcing cultural identity and community values across the region.
