200 organisations urge Tribal Welfare Dept to address violations faced by tribals in Nagarahole
Bengaluru: A coalition of over 200 social and environmental organisations, along with legal experts, academics, and activists, has raised alarm over the alleged violation of tribal rights in Nagarahole.
The group has called on the Tribal Welfare Department to intervene and address what they describe as “forced eviction” of 150 Jenu Kuruba adivasi, violating the Forest Rights Act, as reported by The Hindu on Wednesday.
The memorandum, submitted to Randeep D., Principal Secretary of the Tribal Welfare Department, and Yogesh, Director of the department, by the representatives of the group highlighted the plight of the Jenu Kuruba tribe in Karadikallu, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.
The members of the solidarity group includes organisations such as India Labour Solidarity (U.K.-based), Food Sovereignty Alliance, Students for Peoples Democracy, and Fridays For Future India, as well as activists like Meera Sanghamitra and Disha A. Ravi.
The issue came to light on May 5, when tribal families re-entered the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve to “reclaim their ancestral land”. In response, over 120 paramilitary troops of the Forest Department and police forces, were reportedly deployed to intimidate the Jenu Kuruba community. The authorities allegedly issued threats of forced eviction.
“In addition to this, the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Nagarahole Wildlife division, issued a letter on May 8, citing a supposed May 6 High Court order, later found to have been fabricated, suspending the FRA-related activities, thus asking the Jenu Kuruba families to vacate their ancestral homeland in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve,” said a statement from the collective.
The letter by the collective termed it “a blatant attempt to withhold implementation of the FRA, 2006, amounting to perjury (lying under oath) under criminal law for the tiger reserve authorities, as well as section 3 (g) of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,” added the report.
The letter has been signed by a diverse group of supporters, including academics from institutions such as IIT Madras, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, National Law School of India University, and Azim Premji University, lending further weight to the call for urgent intervention.
Meanwhile, Randeep has reportedly assured that the grievances will be looked into, and he expressed openness to sending a delegation to Nagarahole to assess the situation directly.
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Smriti Mandhana named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Star batter Smriti Mandhana, who played a pivotal role in India's historic 2025 Women's World Cup triumph, was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 at a glittering function here on Monday.
Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh won the Emerging Player of the Year award, for her historic FIDE Women's World Cup triumph at just 20.
Preethi Pal was named the Para-Sportswoman of the Year, for winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field, while Anjali Bhagwat was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her pioneering career as India's first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her trailblazing success on the world stage.
Mandhana, who is currently touring Australia with the Indian team for multi-format bilateral assignments, said in a video message: "Thank you BBC for giving me the awardfor Best Sportswoman of the Year. 2025 was a special year for women's cricket, especiallytowards the end we had a World Cup and I'm happy I could contribute and help India win matches.".
At 29, the left-handed batter is already among the game's greats, with the second-highest number of centuries in women's One Day Internationals and ranking third in total runsscored among current players worldwide.
Hailing from Sangli city in Maharashtra, the affable Mandhana was inspired by her father and brother, both of whom played cricket at the district level.
In September last year, she made a 50-ball hundred against Australia – the fastest 50 over international ton (men and women) by an Indian in the format, breaking Virat Kohli's record.
The award winners were decided by a distinguished grand jury comprising Leander Paes, Deepa Malik, and Anju Bobby George.
Praising the athletes' achievements CEO of BBC News, Jonathan Munro said: "Congratulations to this year's winners who showcase the very best in sporting excellence. The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world.".
Additionally, the ceremony also celebrated a wide spectrum of talent and impact, recognizing star performers and changemakers for redefining the landscape of Indian sport.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team: for their historic World Cup victory.
• Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal: for their trailblazing performances at the World Para Athletics Championship.
• Indian Women's Cricket Team for the Blind: for their inspiring World Cup victory.
• Indian Women's Kabaddi Team: for their smashing victory in World Cup.
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BBC Changemakers of the Year 202.
• Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team: for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport.
• Rajbir Kaur: Indian field hockey player and former captain of the women’s national team.
• Savita Punia: Indian field hockey player and current member of the national team.
• Paani Devi: recognised for her impactful contribution to grassroots sport.
