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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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
