Protest by farmers against safari and illegal resorts in Karnataka’s forests to continue indefinitely

The farmers’ outfits protesting against resumption of safari in the forests have declared that their agitation will continue indefinitely as the officials had failed to provide clear assurances to their demands.

The farmers, who had arrived at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mysuru in a motorcycle rally from Gun House circle on Wednesday, and staged a protest, held talks with the senior officials of the district administration including Regional Commissioner Nitesh Patil and Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy.

Federation of State Farmers’ Associations President Kurubur Shanthakumar, besides farmers’ leader Honnur Prakash and representatives from different outfits like Collective Leadership Farmers’ Union, Save Kabini Committee demanded immediate suspension of safari in the forest areas and action against the illegal resorts operating in the jungles.

Referring to the Forest Department’s contention that the population of wild animals like elephants, tigers and leopards had increased and these animals were venturing out into human settlements, destroying crops and attacking people in the fringes as they are finding their movement in the forest difficult, Mr Shanthakumar said no incident of tigers attacking farmers were reported during the past months when safari operations had been halted.

Though the officials including Mr Patil, Mr Reddy and Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Paramesh heard them at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, they were unable to answer several questions raised by the farmers, said Mr. Shanthakumar.

In a statement here, Mr. Shanthakumar claimed that the Deputy Commissioner had stated that a report had found that six resorts in the Kabini and Nagarahole areas are illegal and that immediate action would be taken. “He also said that a report would be sent to the government regarding the suspension of safari activities”, Mr Shanthakumar said.

However, the farmers did not accept this and continued their indefinite protest.

“The Revenue Divisional Officer assured that within two to three days, a meeting would be convened involving the Deputy Commissioners of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, forest department officials of both districts, and farmer leaders to discuss the safari issue. As the officials failed to provide clear assurances, the farmers announced that the indefinite agitation would continue”, said Mr Shanthakumar in a statement here.