Latest news with #NagaraholeWildlifeDivision
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tribals cry foul as officials raze huts in Nagarahole tiger reserve
The Forest Department of Karnataka carried out an operation in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on June 18 to clear new constructions that had come up overnight even as tribals and activists cried foul over the move. The incident is a fallout of the long-drawn dispute between the Forest Department and the tribal communities who have alleged that their claims under the Forest Rights Act have been rejected by the authorities. On May 5 and 6, about 150 tribals from Attur Kolli forest areas who work in the local estates, had asserted their rights over forest land. They refused to vacate the place pending settlement of their claims. Some sheds or dwelling units were constructed at that time, and the 52 families, who had claimed rights over the forest land, were camping there. Ananya Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Nagarahole Wildlife Division, said that the residential dwellings that were removed on June 18, had come up overnight and were in addition to the six units constructed in May. ''The earlier dwellings have not been disturbed,' he added. The new huts were constructed in Nalikeri forest in the Nagarahole Wildlife Division. The operation was carried out in the presence of police amidst opposition from tribals and rights activists. Ananya Kumar said the Forest Department was forced to clear the fresh construction. 'If left unchecked, their numbers could proliferate and lead to large-scale encroachment of the tiger reserve.' The authorities said 52 families are claiming rights over the forest land, but available documents indicate that there was no hamlet by the name of Attur Koli in the records. The activists claim that the village or hamlet has been mentioned in the Muzaffar Assadi Committee report and the local people have ration cards, death certificates, school certificates mentioning their village as Karikallu Atturu Koli village. The local villagers have reached out to the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission and submitted a petition. The Forest Department was accused of suppressing the rights of individuals and the community to life, dignity, food, shelter, land, water and livelihood, all of which are fundamental human rights, according to the petition submitted to the KSHRC.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Authorities refute tribals claim over forest land in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
The Forest Department has refuted the claims over ancestral land by tribals from 'Attur Kolli Haadi' in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on the grounds that no such hamlet is on official records. The issue came to the fore when about 150 tribals from nearby villages and working in local estates, asserted their rights over the land on May 5 and 6, and have refused to vacate the place pending settlement of their claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). Speaking to reporters, Ananya Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forests of Nagarahole Wildlife Division, said on Saturday that around 150 tribals, including FRA applicants and other tribal leaders, 'illegally' entered the Attur Kolli forest area of Nagarahole range and constructed three sheds after clearing the vegetation. Though the Forest Department personnel tried to convince the tribals to vacate the area, they refused to do so stating that they would stay inside the forest until their forest rights are recognised. But Mr. Kumar said their claims are not supported by either historical or legal records and hence was not admissible. The Forest Department officials stated that the applications have undergone extensive scrutiny and multiple rounds of verification by the Sub-Divisional and District Level Committees (SDLC/DLC) since 2020. It has been concluded that there is no record of a tribal hamlet named 'Attur Kolli Haadi' within the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, said Mr. Kumar. The proceedings of the subdivisional level forest rights committee meeting held on May 22, 2025, conducted by Assistant Commissioner of Madikeri, records the statements of the Forest Department that there is no record of Attur Kolli Haadi. The department provided supporting evidence that Attur Kolli forest area is a natural forest and no historical occupation, habitation, or cultivation has ever taken place in the patch of forest as claimed by applicants, Mr. Kumar said. The authorities cited the Nagarahole National Park Management Plan (2000-2010) and pointed out that it mentions the names of 43 hamlets but there was no record of the Attur Kolli Haadi. Satellite imagery from 1985 to 2025, historical management plans, and demographic surveys from the University of Mysore were also cited to claim that no habitation or cultivation has occurred in the area. Prior to that, on May 15, the SDLC meeting was held in Madikeri and officials submitted their petition with records, while the officials from the Integrated Tribal Development Project stated that there was no mention of 'Attur Kolli Haadi' in their departmental records, the authorities added. The SDLC of FRA has also deemed that the evidence presented by the claimants was insufficient to prove historical habitation and cultivation and hence has rejected the forest rights claims pertaining to Attur Kolli forest area, according to Mr. Kumar. Meanwhile, tribal leaders and NGOs supportive of the cause have sharply criticised the State's response and have accused the authorities of violating the spirit and letter of FRA. The Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, which booked a suo moto case, directed the Kodagu Deputy Commissioner to conduct an inquiry which is in process and the next hearing will be held on June 10, 2025.
