Grazing ban applies only for cattle brought from other states, not locals: Min. Khandre clarifies
Bengaluru: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwara B. Khandre has clarified that forest dwellers and tribal communities who hold rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, are permitted to graze their cattle in forest areas. However, a restriction has been imposed on the mass grazing of cattle brought in from neighbouring states.
In a press statement, Khandre emphasized that as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves are strictly off-limits for human encroachment and domestic animal grazing.
He acknowledged that certain forest communities in Karnataka have traditionally followed grazing practices for years, and added that the government is taking a gradual approach to curb such activities.
As a part of this approach, local villagers are being made aware of ecological concerns and encouraged to rear high-yielding hybrid cattle instead. They are also being supported to cultivate green fodder on their patta lands, reducing the dependence on forest grazing.
According to the Animal Husbandry Department, around 33,000 cattle are being grazed in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary alone. This mass movement of livestock into the forest is reportedly depriving wild animals such as elephants, bison, deer, and sambars of grass and water. There's also a growing risk of contagious diseases like foot-and-mouth, lumpy skin disease, and anthrax spreading from cattle to wildlife.
Minister Khandre noted that while restrictions are being enforced as per law, exemptions will be made for locals who have rights under the Forest Rights Act. In Chamarajanagar, for instance, the Forest Department has already distributed high-yielding cows to about 10–15 farmers under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund to reduce dependence on forest resources.
He added that such alternatives would be introduced gradually for those who rely solely on grazing livestock in forests for livelihood. The goal is to eventually persuade them to stop grazing cattle, goats, and sheep in forest areas altogether.
Khandre also referenced a recent judgment by the Madras High Court that categorically banned cattle grazing in Tamil Nadu's forest lands. Since that ruling, thousands of cattle from neighbouring states have reportedly been brought into Karnataka forests, causing overgrazing, degradation of vegetation, and increased human-wildlife conflicts.
The situation had even escalated to instances of poisoning wild animals. Given these alarming developments, strict legal action was deemed necessary, Khandre added.
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Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
