Tribal Village Plan near Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Kodagu Raises Concerns

The proposed site, located in survey number 147 of Teralu village in Hudikeri hobli of Ponnampet taluk, is owned by the Revenue Department. Photo used for representation purpose only

Madikeri: The Karnataka government's decision to establish a tribal settlement in the buffer zone of the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Virajpet has sparked concerns over the safety of the inhabitants and the potential for escalating human-wildlife conflicts.

The proposed site, located in survey number 147 of Teralu village in Hudikeri hobli of Ponnampet taluk, is owned by the Revenue Department. However, its proximity—just 100 metres from the sanctuary’s boundary—has raised alarms. Official records indicate that 20 acres have been allocated for the project under the Project Coordinator, Integrated Tribal Development Project. The area hosts a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, lion-tailed macaques, and Nilgiri martens, among several other species, all safeguarded under different provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

ADVT

According to a report in DH, In 2017, the then Deputy Conservator of Forests in Virajpet had written to the Kodagu deputy commissioner, highlighting the need for approval from the buffer zone management committee before any construction activity could commence. According to the Union government’s notification, the buffer zone in the region extends up to one kilometre from the Brahmagiri sanctuary’s boundary.

For over seven years, more than 570 families from four tribal communities have been urging the government to provide them with permanent housing. Many of them had previously set up makeshift shelters in Diddahalli forest, near the Devamachi Reserve Forest in the Thithimathi range of Virajpet division. However, they were evicted by officials in December 2016 in what activists have termed a "harsh" operation. Many displaced families remain without proper rehabilitation, leading to encroachment issues. A Madikeri-based activist in the DH report criticised the government's delay, warning that further procrastination would only compound the problem.

A conservationist, however, cautioned that relocating tribal communities within a wildlife habitat could expose them to increased risks. "Providing housing is crucial, but ensuring that the land is safe and does not lead to human-elephant conflict is equally important. Coorg is already struggling with severe human-elephant interactions, and this move could exacerbate the issue," he said.

In a report by The Hindu, wildlife conservationist Sanjay Gubbi stated that the proposal has a significant impact on wildlife while also creating an unfair challenge for tribal communities, as the area is a known hotspot for human-elephant conflict. He pointed out that the high elephant population makes the land unsuitable for both agriculture and housing. Instead of exposing the tribals to greater risks, he urged the government to explore alternative locations for their rehabilitation.

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