Funds for voluntary relocation of Karnataka's Bhimgad sanctuary villages to be allocated shortly
Hubballi: Karnataka's Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has assured the forest dwellers of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Belagavi district that the government will soon allocate funds for their voluntary relocation.
Speaking to the people of Talewadi, one of the 13 hamlets situated in the sanctuary in Khanapur taluk, Khandre said that each family would receive Rs 15 lakh as compensation for rehabilitation, in line with the guidelines set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), as reported by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.
The 13 settlements within the pristine forest of Bhimgad is a home to 754 families comprising 3,059 people. This region, a critical tiger corridor, connects the Kali Tiger Reserve with Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Mollem National Park and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also a critical habitat for tigers, leopards, endangered species like Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, among others.
While many residents of several hamlets have expressed a willingness to relocate due to inadequate basic facilities such as healthcare, education, and road connectivity, the rehabilitation work has been pending for want of funds.
Sources in the department informed the Deccan Herald that the minister advised the villagers to use the compensation funds effectively, either to purchase alternative agricultural land in and around Khanapur or to deposit the amount in banks. Furthermore, he directed the forest department to provide full support to the relocating families throughout the process, ensuring a smooth transition to their new life.
Belagavi’s Deputy Conservator of Forest, Maria Christu Raja, told DH that the talks with Talewadi residents were productive. While several hamlets have shown interest in relocating, applications have only been received from Talewadi. Officials hope that the successful relocation of Talewadi will serve as a model, encouraging other hamlet residents to follow suit.
The relocation of Talewadi will free up more than 1,000 hectares of inviolate space, providing critical habitat for the region's wildlife.
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Some glitches can happen at any large event: Tharoor praises AI Summit
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday praised the AI Impact Summit, saying the first couple of days had gone "extremely well" and "some glitches" can happen at any "large event".
He said what has been impressive is the attendance of presidents, prime ministers, and world leaders who have come with a strong message of wanting to see a newly integrated world in artificial intelligence development.
While noting that the first couple of days went “extremely well” at the summit, Tharoor said there have been “some glitches” but such issues can happen at big events.
His remarks come a day after former Congress president Rahul Gandhi dubbed the ongoing AI Summit in Delhi a "disorganised PR spectacle" and alleged that Chinese products were being showcased there.
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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior party leaders have also criticised the event, saying alleged mismanagement has resulted in "embarrassment" for the country.
Responding to a reporter's question after the launch event of his new book on Narayana Guru, Tharoor said, "Though I have not had the chance to go to the summit, I am speaking there tomorrow. From what I understand, these first couple of days have gone extremely well. There have been some glitches, some organisational things, these things happen in a large event."
"But by and large what has been impressive is the attendance... a number of presidents, prime ministers, and world leaders are here, and they've come with a strong message of wanting to see a newly integrated world in AI development, where the impact upon society would be the principle," Tharoor said.
"Preoccupation in India has clearly led the drive in this area," he added.
Asked about French President Emanuel Macron's remarks about procurement of Rafale jets by India and the Make in India component of the deal, Tharoor said as far as the French Rafale is concerned, parts of it are being manufactured in India.
That is a very important aspect of the deal because it is part of strengthening defence, but also increasing our self-reliance in the defence sector, he said.
"Defence is important for India not because we want to go to war, but because we don't want others to think that we are so weak that they can be tempted to go to war. It is a defensive defence literally, and that is what we are working for and I support the government on that,” he said.
On the upcoming film Kerala Story 2, Tharoor said the first film, Kerala Story, was a “hate-mongering film”.
“They were saying that thousands of people were converted, which is not true. I think there were around 30 such cases over a number of years. Ours is a very big country. If a case occurs here and there, it doesn't mean you should turn it into a big story and use it as propaganda,” Tharoor said.
“In our childhood, films like Amar Akbar Antony used to get entertainment tax exemptions,” he added.
