Sirsi: A large-scale protest, titled "Bengaluru Chalo," will be held on November 21, by forest dwellers and activists from across Karnataka, urging the state government to reject the implementation of the Kasturirangan Report. The protesters are demanding the Central Government discard the report entirely, as it poses a grave threat to the livelihood and rights of people in the coastal and Malnad regions.

The event is expected to witness participation from forest dwellers and activists across 16 districts, aiming to highlight their grievances and the Supreme Court's stance on forest rights. The protest is seen as a powerful demonstration to emphasize the need for protecting forest dwellers' rights.

Impact of Kasturirangan Report:
The Kasturirangan Report identified 1,531 villages in 10 districts of Karnataka as eco-sensitive zones, covering an area of 20,668 square kilometers. Farmers in these regions face restrictions on agricultural activities and land use, causing widespread concern among those dependent on forest land. Forest dwellers fear the loss of their ancestral rights to land and livelihood if the report is implemented.

Forest Rights Concerns:
Karnataka has received 2,95,048 claims under the Forest Rights Act, but only 15,798 have been approved. Of these, 12,481 were for tribal individuals, 1,976 for traditional forest dwellers, and 1,341 for community purposes, amounting to a mere 5% approval rate. Ravindra Naik, President of the State Forest Land Rights Struggle Committee, called the rejection of most claims "disheartening" and criticized the lack of justice for forest-dependent communities.

The Bengaluru Chalo protest aims to exert pressure on the government to ensure that the rights and livelihoods of forest dwellers are safeguarded and their claims under the Forest Rights Act are addressed fairly.