'Clear encroachments on Amruth Kaval lands'

The State Information Commission has directed the Revenue department Principal Secretary to take measures to clear encroachment on Amruth Mahal Kaval lands across the state. As per the data, out of 68,440.06 acres of kaval lands, only 37,948.25 acres are available. The remaining lands are either encroached upon or are used for other purposes.

Commissioner L Krishnamurthy, in his order, dated October 10, has directed Principal Secretary for Revenue Rajkumar Khatri to take measures to vacate encroachers on kaval lands at the earliest.

The commission has passed the order after hearing the petition filed by B C Ramegowda of Mysuru. Ramegowda had appealed to the State Commissioner after Deputy Director, Amruth Mahal Thali Samvardhana Kendra, Ajjampura, Chikkamagaluru district, failed to provide details of the two Amruth kavals in Mandya district. As much as 357.32 acres of lands are reserved for Amruth kaval in Mandya district alone. But, the land is not used for the purpose, says Ramegowda.

Amruth Mahal cattle breed was popular during the period of the Wadiyars kings. They had developed 63 kavals — 13 in Chikkamagaluru district, 24 in Chitradurga, 2 each in Mandya and Davanagere, 15 in Hassan, 7 in Tumakuru — and had reserved a total of 68,440.06 acres of land in six districts to protect the breed.

But, now, out of 68,440.06 acres, only 37,948.25 acres of land is available for cattle grazing. The remaining land is either encroached upon by private people or the government has used it for other purpose. According to Ramegowda, while private people have encroached upon 8,033.21 acres of land, the government has provided 21,976.14 acres of land to various organisations for other purpose. However, as per data, a total of 481.26 acres of encroached land has been recovered by the government recently.

Ramegowda said, illegal mining and other activities such as cultivation, is rampant on the land belonging to Amruth Mahal kaval. Several farmers have encroached upon the lands for cultivation.