Talewadi families voluntarily relocate, 27 receive compensation cheques

Will enable them to build a better life within a structured society, says Khandre

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Belagavi

"A proposal has been discussed with the Union Forest Minister to get Rs 10,000 crore funds to relocate and rehabilitate forest dwellers in Karnataka," said Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre.

Speaking at Hemmadaga in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district, the minister distributed cheques to 27 families from Talewadi hamlet in the Bhimgad forest range who have voluntarily chosen to relocate outside the forest. Rs 5 crore funds from central government's Campa head has been utilised for this initiative. He praised their decision, stating that forest dwellers, alongside forest officials, play a crucial role in preserving forests.

"Forests flourish best when human interference is minimal. In today's era, living inside dense forests without basic infrastructure is increasingly difficult. As the world modernises, efforts are underway to bring such communities into the mainstream," said the minister.

Talewadi is one of the 13 villages within the Bhimgad forest zone, which is home to approximately 754 families. Of these, 27 families from Talewadi have voluntarily decided to leave the forest.