Forest department raze houses of tribals at BRT

The Forest department has irked the tribals by destroying two houses belonging to Soligas at Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve area.

The Soliga leaders alleged that the department has warned of vacating the remaining houses within 30 days.

The demolished houses belonged to 85-year-old Masanamma and 40-year-old Parvathamma. The district tribal development association has condemned the Forest department, for demolishing the houses.

Speaking to DH, BRT officials claimed that the Soligas were allowed to construct houses temporarily in the forest area, that belonged to the department and it is inevitable for them to vacate the place.

Madegowda of the association said that around 12 families were living there for more than 20 years. Now, the officials want to vacate them.

The tribals could have been given the land documents as per the Forest Act, or by the department itself. But, they have been forced to vacate. While the coffee estate owners have encroached thousands of acres of forest, the department has been harassing the tribals, they alleged.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner M R Ravi visited the spot and interacted with the Soligas. He has assured to speak with the Deputy Conservator of Forests, the tribals said.