No road, school or hospital in this Karnataka village deep inside a wildlife sanctuary

Around 30 families continue to stay at Paradeshappana Mutt, part of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, in Chikkamagaluru taluk. Photo by Sathish G.T.

For the residents of Paradeshappana Mutt, a village inside the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, love for their native land refuses to die. But this love comes at a price. Around 30 families live here, near Sirivase in Chikkamagaluru taluk. They have no road, public transport, school or hospital, and no power supply from the electricity supply companies.

“We have been here from time immemorial. My parents and their parents were born and buried here. Where else would we go?” said Rudraiah, who is in his 70s, as he tended his cattle in the forest near the village. The village is named after a mutt that has stood there for centuries.

Only in recent years are the houses lit at night, and that is thanks to solar panels donated by private companies.

Even a bag of salt means a trip to Bogase, the nearest village, on foot or by a personal two-wheeler. Only in recent years are the houses lit at night, and that is thanks to solar panels donated by private companies. Rudraiah and his cousin Kalaiah say they had never seen a bulb in their homes before.

Except for a couple of them, the majority belong to Adi Karnataka, a Scheduled Caste. Given the lack of basic amenities, the families send their children to hostels or have them stay with their relatives in distant places for studies.

The sanctuary, part of Project Tiger, was notified in 1998 and covers 12 villages identified for rehabilitation.

The poorest face the most hardship. Yashodamma, who is about 60 years of age, stays on to care for her husband, who has cancer. She earns about ₹600 a day working in agricultural fields, as does her son. With no hospital nearby, every medical need means a long journey.

According to forest records, the residents are “forest dwellers”. “This has been our home for ages, but only in recent years has our place been considered a part of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary,” Kalaiah said.

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The sanctuary, part of Project Tiger, was notified in 1998 and covers 12 villages identified for rehabilitation. According to the Forest Department’s management plan, 418 families have been relocated to two centres, M.C. Halli in Tarikere taluk and Kelagur in Chikkamagaluru taluk. Twenty families at Paradeshappana Mutt and 46 more in three other villages are still to be rehabilitated.

Many of those left behind are poor, with small landholdings or none. Some villagers say not every family was listed for compensation in the original exercise. A few have moved court seeking additional compensation for those left out, a senior Forest Department official said.

According to forest records, the residents are “forest dwellers”.

The official claimed that the department’s hands are tied. “The law does not allow us to provide them road, electricity or any other facility as it falls under the tiger reserve. We tried to convince the families to move out. However, I wish citizen forums or environmentalists can play a role in convincing them. They can also place their requests for fresh compensation package before the government,” he said.

When The Hindu contacted Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner Bhanwar Singh Meena, he said he would soon convene a meeting with Forest Department officers on the issue and decide what could be done to resolve the problems.