Uttara Kannada Forest Dwellers’ 34-Year Struggle for Land Rights Intensifies with New Protest Campaign
Uttara Kannada Forest Dwellers’ 34-Year Struggle for Land Rights Intensifies with New Protest Campaign
By The News Observer Desk,
Sirsi, October 4, 2025 – The forest dwellers of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka marked the 34th year of their ongoing struggle for land rights and title deeds with a massive protest in Sirsi, demanding justice and recognition from the state and central governments. Despite three decades of relentless advocacy, their demands remain unfulfilled, prompting the launch of a renewed appeal campaign and a grand agitation, termed the “Maha Sangrama,” to pressure authorities into action.
An estimated 25,000 forest dwellers gathered at the Sirsi Municipal Auditorium for the large-scale protest, raising slogans against the government’s inaction and demanding their rightful land titles. The event, organized by the State Forest Land Rights Activists’ Forum, aimed to highlight the state government’s failure to comply with court orders and central government guidelines, which has led to the rejection of over 250,000 applications from forest dwellers across Karnataka.
Ravindra Naik, president of the forum, addressed the gathering, criticizing the state government for dismissing applications without proper review, in violation of Supreme Court directives. “The state was mandated to re-evaluate the rejected applications, but it has failed to do so,” Naik stated. “We demand that the central government adopt a liberal policy, similar to its initiative of providing land one rupee, and grant us our rights with a contribution of one thousand rupees.”
Naik further announced plans to escalate the fight legally, including filing a contempt of court case against the state’s Chief Secretary in the Supreme Court and pursuing robust legal action to secure the rights of forest dwellers. The protest marked the launch of a renewed appeal campaign to compel the government to submit an amended affidavit to the Supreme Court addressing the wrongful rejections.
The forest-dwelling communities, numbering around 75,000 in Uttara Kannada, have been fighting for their land rights for over 30 years. Despite continuous efforts through protests, petitions, and advocacy, their struggle has yielded no concrete results. Many families have seen generations pass without achieving their goal, with younger members now carrying forward the legacy of their ancestors’ fight. “Our forefathers fought and died for this cause, and we, the next generation, continue their battle,” said a protester, reflecting the community’s resilience.
The protest was attended by key leaders, including District Coordinator Ibrahim Gaudalli, Kumta President Manjunath Marathi, District Coordinator Mahesh Naik Kanakki, Mahabaleshwar Naik Bedkani, Yallapur President Bhimasi Valmiki, Mundagod President Shivanand Jogi, Ankola President Ramanand Naik Achave, Chandru Poojari, Nehru Naik Bilur, M.R. Naik Kandraji, Sarambi, Rajesh Mitra Naik, Swati Jain, Harihar Naik Omkar, Ganapati Naik Bedasgaon, Vinayak Marathi Dodmane, Mahendra Naik Kathagal, and Subhash Gawada, among others.
The Maha Sangrama and appeal campaign signal a renewed determination among the forest dwellers to hold the government accountable and secure their long-denied rights, setting the stage for intensified activism in the days ahead.
