Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Mar 5: On Friday march 4, Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC), Subodh Yadav, tried to convince families settled in Kudremukh National Park, to come out of the forest. Before that, the DC, who also happens to be the president of the Rahabilitation Committee, held consultations with officials of various departments at the Travellers Bungalow in Naravi.
He ordered them to enter the forest, take measurements, and record value of the land occupied by the families without fail, two days every week. He also wanted the survey department employees to visit forests in advances and take measurements.
Discussions were also held about the chances of families coming out of the park, by accepting the offer of ten lac rupees, those who are ready to accept value of land as assessed by the government, and those who live outside the park, but their farms and houses are located inside the forest. The DC visited a few families in Alamba in Kutloor village and held talks with the families. The families expressed their willingness to come out of the National Park, if they are offered justifiable compensation for their land. A person named Muttaiah Malekudia demanded Rs 60 lac as compensation, as he felt his land deserves this price.
Speaking to the media, the DC expressed confidence to find a solution to the problems of tribals, after holding discussions with the district level officials, soon. He said he believes in arriving at an amicable solution, and that using force for the purpose is out of question. He explained that about half of the 220 families settled in the park have opted to come out of the forest, and that compensation has been paid to 13 among them. He also added that applications of 87 families are under consideration, and 47 have been rejected. He said that the department will take legal action against people living within the park limits illegally. He also expressed concern about reports about the role of middlemen in evicting of the families.
Probationary DC, Sindhuri, divisional forest officer of wildlife division, Prakash Natalkar, assistant commissioner, Harish Kumar, tahsildar, Pramila, and others accompanied the DC. At one stage, the DC got angry at the mistakes committed by tahsildar and revenue inspector, Narayan Gowda, even warning Gowda that he would be suspended on the spot. He reprimanded the tahisldar for allowing rich persons to continue to occupy government lands and letting them go Scot free, while taking action against Malekudia families, immediately after they occupied a tiny piece of government site.
The DC’s hurried visit and urgent initiatives have given rise to speculation that the central government has released a sum of Rs 35 crore for the rehabilitation of families living inside the National Park. The National Park is spread over Chikmagalur, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada districts. Because of these initiatives, the officials from the taluk may have to spend two days every week inside the forests henceforth.