The government has approved the relocation of 16 families residing within the Saragodu reserve forest in Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, to enhance their living conditions and minimize conflicts with wildlife. An official announcement stated that the cabinet made this decision on Monday, impacting around 60 individuals.
To facilitate the relocation, the government will allocate 33 acres and 24 guntas of land in Haduoni, Balur hobli. Each family will receive two acres for agricultural purposes and an additional four guntas for housing.
Chikkamagaluru Deputy Conservator of Forests Ramesh Babu noted that the forest department had submitted a relocation proposal to higher authorities some time ago. However, the process was delayed as two families opposed the move and took the matter to court. “Due to forest regulations, we cannot lay power lines, dig borewells, or construct roads within forest areas. Human presence affects both residents and wildlife. We will initiate the relocation process as soon as we receive official orders,” he explained.
This initiative follows a similar effort in 2006, when families from forested regions of Mudigere, including Manduligulihara and Byrigadde, were resettled. Currently, while most families have agreed to relocate, 18 families recognized as traditional forest dwellers, due to their presence before 1978, initially resisted. Now, 16 families have consented to move, while two continue to fight the relocation legally.
Residents in the forest have faced significant challenges, including wildlife encounters and inadequate access to essential services. Although solar fencing has been installed to mitigate wildlife-related incidents, the absence of roads, schools, and medical facilities has severely impacted their quality of life.
Local resident Venkaiah expressed his frustrations: “Living here has been incredibly difficult without basic amenities. In medical emergencies, we struggle to reach healthcare in time. During the rainy season, our children must walk two to three kilometers through the forest to get to school, which is especially challenging.”
