Statewide Objection Appeal for Forest Dwellers to Begin on Oct. 4 in Sirsi

Karwar: Without re-evaluating the applications of forest dwellers, the applications rejected by the central government will lead to a campaign to submit a legal objection appeal to the State Chief Secretary, the President, and the State Level Forest Rights Monitoring Committee, starting on October 4 in Sirsi, according to Ravindra Naik, President of the State Forest Rights Activists Forum.

Speaking at a press conference in Karwar, Naik stated that the Supreme Court’s directive to re-evaluate the applications under the Forest Rights Act was not followed. Instead, contrary to the guidance of the Supreme Court and the central government, the State Chief Secretary submitted a report to the central government stating that 253,269 applications from forest dwellers in the state were rejected without re-evaluation. The report also mentions that 73,206 applications were rejected in Uttara Kannada district. In light of this, it has been decided to submit objection letters to the state government by forest dwellers across the state due to the unlawful rejection of applications without re-evaluation.

In the objection letter, it is highlighted that 87.77% of the total applications in the state were rejected. Only 3.2% of applications were granted cultivation rights, as mentioned in the report.

Present at the press conference were Kumta President Manjunath Marathi, Yellapur President Bhimashe Valmiki, Amoj Mallapur, Director Raghavendra Naik Kavanchur, Subraya Naik Manki, and Shivananda Joida, among others.

Not Brought to the Government’s Attention: It was noted that while submitting the report to the central government, the State Chief Secretary did not bring it to the attention of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, or the concerned ministers, which was found to be regrettable.

Legal Battle: Forest dwellers will continue their legal battle in the Supreme Court regarding the rejection of applications without re-evaluation, through a judicial contempt petition. The Activists Forum will strongly condemn the unilateral decision of the Chief Secretary, said President Ravindra Naik.