State wants Act amended to benefit forest dwellers

Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting on implementing the Act, he said traditional forest dwellers, other than tribals, have not been able to claim land rights and other benefits due to rigid rules. As a result, their applications are being rejected, he added.

In Shimoga district alone, over 84,000 applications were received under the Act. Of this, 78,000 applications were from traditional forest dwellers and 4,000 from tribals. The Government was forced to reject 69,000 applications due to rigid rules, he added. The Government has received about 1.62 lakh applications from Mysore, Chamarajnagar, Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Kodagu, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Yeddyurappa said he has directed the officials to take strict action against those who try to encroach the forest land by making false claims under the Act. Asked about alleged illegal distribution of compensation by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, the Chief Minister only said he will look into the issue.