Shivamogga: Families who have lived in the forests of Malnad (Western Ghats) for generations got some relief Saturday, with CM DK Shivakumar directing forest officials to stop issuing fresh eviction notices to traditional dwellers. CM also said the govt would consider a physical survey of areas covered under the Kasturirangan report, on the lines of the Keralam model, before taking a final stand.Chairing a public consultation at Thirthahalli, Shivakumar said govt would strictly protect the land rights and livelihoods of Malnad residents. He, however, added that there would be zero tolerance towards any new forest encroachment.CM said govt was committed to passing a resolution urging Centre to lower the land rights eligibility threshold. “There is a 25-year limit for some and 75 years for others. We will take a decision on having a uniform 25-year limit and send it to the Centre,” he said. Forest officials, he said, had been told not to trouble people living in forest areas. “Bagair Hukum cultivation and giving land to those who cultivate it are initiatives of our govt,” he added.A special legislature session has been convened from Monday to formalise the state’s unified stand, and the report will be taken up on the first day. Kasturirangan Committee had recommended declaring 37% of the Western Ghats – around 60,000 sq km across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Keralam and Tamil Nadu – as an eco-sensitive area to balance conservation with development.The demand for a Keralam-style ground check also came from residents and representatives of various organisations at Hebri in Udupi district Friday night. They said the report covered around 13,000 sq km in Keralam and nearly 20,000 sq km in Karnataka. Keralam, they said, had a high-level committee to separate inhabited areas from forest areas after a physical survey, which reduced the area covered. A similar exercise in Karnataka, they said, could exclude around 5,000 sq km.The representatives said Kasturirangan Committee relied on satellite and GPS-based mapping and did not survey the ground. They said the report referred to villages with fewer than 100 people, but larger settlements were also included based on GPS mapping. They also questioned the inclusion of areas with less than 20% protected forest cover, saying residents feared for their homes and livelihoods. They urged govt to form an expert committee, saying its findings could then be placed before Centre and, if necessary, Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal.At the meeting, Shivakumar said govt had to convey its opinion to Centre by Sept 27. “The govt will consider the possibility of constituting a technical and expert committee to study the situation. We will also examine the Keralam model,” he said. “We have come here to hear your views and understand the problems you are facing. We will consider these suggestions and discuss the issue in the assembly. I have come to know the sentiments of the people, hear their views and find a solution.”CM said govt would also consider a resolution in the assembly to ensure that tribal and other forest-dependent communities get rights and benefits under the Forest Rights Act. “Conservation and the livelihood of people have to be considered together. Officials do not always get an opportunity to hear the grievances of people. Elected representatives and the govt have a responsibility to understand such concerns firsthand,” he said.The residents also sought a zonal management plan and a taluk hospital at Hebri. Shivakumar said these would be discussed with officials. “We do not do politics on emotions. We are concerned about your lives. I should not make announcements before you and forget them later,” he said. He said he would visit Udupi again in the coming days to discuss the issues with elected representatives.
