ZP to hold talks with DFO over Nagarahole survey

In the backdrop of the ITDP Department writing a letter to the General Secretary of the Forest department seeking permission to restart survey work in Nagarahole National Park region, it was decided in the ZP meeting to solve the problem by holding talks with DFO Vijaya Ranjan Singh.

In the ZP KDP meeting held to review the developmental works of the district, which was presided over by the ZP President Shanteyanda Ravi Kushalappa, ITDP Department Project Co-ordinator Ganeshappa placed forth the status of the survey work. Out of 707 cases submitted to the claim applications under Tribal Act 2006, the survey work of 350 cases has been completed. But survey work of the rest of the cases is pending due to the order of the General Secretary of the Forest Department asking to stop the survey, he informed.

“The rights must be given to the tribals based on the amount of land they were enjoying prior to May 13, 2005. The Forest Department is falsely complaining that the tribals are acquiring the land belonging to the Forest Department. Moreover, there is a huge difference between the actual demands of the tribals and the information in possession with the Forest Department. We would resume the survey work once the State Forest Department permits us to carry on the work,” he said.

Meanwhile, it was also decided in the meeting to hold talks with the DFO Vijaya Ranjan Singh on Friday and try to find the solution.

Housing projects setback

A serious discussion was held to review the reasons for the set back of housing projects under Basava Indira Project in the district. In response to the discussion, ZP CEO N Krsihnappa said the State government had selected the beneficiaries before August 31 and had given clear direction for the completion of the work. “Even though we are heading towards the end of March, the work has not yet started as the beneficiaries list is yet to obtain consent of the MLA,” he informed.

Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Nagaraj assured of submitting the beneficiaries list to the MLA within a week and obtaining the consent. Virajpet Taluk Panchayat EO Reddappa too assured the same.

CEO Ravi Kushalappa warned the EOs of taking stringent action if they fail to do the work.

Meanwhile, it was decided in the meeting to hold a district-level meeting in the first week of April to discuss and solve the issue related to shortage of doctors in the district.

DHO expressed his disappointment over the doctors as 50 per cent of the doctors are unwilling to work in the district. Even though steps are taken to provide them all the facilities, they do not wish to come to Madikeri, he complained.