Tribals get title deeds, bid farewell to jumbos on happy note

District in-charge minister S A Ramdas distributed title deeds to tribals, who were shifted out of the forest and rehabilitated at Nagapura a decade ago, on the occasion of Gajapayana at the Ashrama School here on Friday.

The demand for issuing title deeds was almost three decades old, much before the rehabilitation process began, and was accomplished with great difficulty, claimed Ramdas. The deeds were given away to five beneficiaries symbolically. The officials claimed that the rest of the 275 beneficiaries would get them subsequently.

It may be recalled that 280 families were rehabilitated at six units under Nagapura. Each family was given five acres of land, which the tribals have been cultivating.

Stating that out of the 1,400 acres earmarked for the rehabilitation package there was some difference, he said the total land would be divided equally among the beneficiaries and each will get one or two guntas of land less than five acres. He called upon the tribals to cultivate and save the lands for future generations and not sell or assign them on lease for greed of money.

He said as the life of the tribals depended on elephants and vice versa, it was only the duty of the government to show its concern by doing its bit while the tribals send the elephants for Dasara.

Conserving culture

Drawing a parallel with soldiers who safeguard the nation against external threats, he said those continuing tradition and culture were cultural soldiers preserving one’s identity against cultural invasion. “Thankfully, within 48 hours of announcing that Dasara would be a no-frills affair, owing to drought situation prevailing in the state, good rains have been received and farmers are happy. Farming activities have resumed. So, Dasara will be celebrated traditionally, except for Yuva Dasara,” he said.

Pointing out that it was the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, he said the Dasara this year will focus on youth and sports events would begin well in advance with expected participation of Olympics medallists. “This year we are planing to expand the scope of Dasara. We hope to extend invitations to foreign dignitaries through ambassadors of 70 nations,” he added.

Chairman of Karnataka Housing Board G T Devegowda urged the minister to initiate steps to construct a permanent arch for Gajapayana, once the venue was finalised. He also urged for funds for construction of a community hall for the tribal people at Nagapura and sought special attention for Hunsur and H D Kote taluks, where a majority of tribal people dwell.

MLA H P Manjunath, ZP president Bhagya Shivamurthy, mayor M C Rajeshwari, chairman of Mysore Lac and Paints  V Ravishankar, deputy commissioner P S Vastrad, additional principal chief conservator of forests B J Hosmath, chief conservator of forests K B Markandeya and tahsildar R Lokanath were present on the occasion.