Hubballi: Forest minister Eshwar Khandre will hand over relocation cheques to 57 residents of Talewadi village in Belagavi on May 17, under the voluntary relocation programme.

Located within the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Talewadi is the first of 13 villages earmarked for relocation from one of Karnataka’s densest forests — a crucial tiger corridor linking the Kali Tiger Reserve with tiger habitats in Goa and Maharashtra, Deccan Herald reported on Thursday.

The relocation will free up over 1,000 hectares of inviolate forest land for wildlife. For the villagers, the move promises access to better healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

The residents of the village have been demanding relocation since 2013–14, citing challenges like poor connectivity and seasonal isolation during monsoons, when overflowing streams would cut them off from the mainland, added the report.

Khandre had visited the village in December 2024, assuring residents of support and timely action. The upcoming cheque disbursal marks the fulfillment of that promise, as the entire Talewadi village is being relocated outside the protected area.

“There was no force from the department for relocation. This is completely on our request,” said Bayaji Varak, a Talewadi resident and one of the beneficiaries of the relocation.

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Bengaluru, June 17 – In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle announced by the Karnataka Government on Tuesday, key changes have been made in the administration of several districts across the state, including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

As per the official notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), Darshan H V., IAS has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru. He replaces Mullai Muhilan M P., who has been transferred and posted as the Inspector General of Registration and Commissioner of Stamps, Bengaluru. Mullai Muhilan will now be relieving Pommala Sunil Kumar, IAS from concurrent charge.

Darshan H V. previously served as the Additional Commissioner for Commercial Taxes (Service Analysis Wing) in Bengaluru before being posted to Mangaluru.

Meanwhile, in Udupi district, Swaroopa T K, IAS has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner. She replaces Vidyakumari K, IAS, who has been transferred. Swaroopa T K. was earlier serving as the Director of E-Governance, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department in Bengaluru.

These changes are part of a larger reshuffle affecting several IAS officers across Karnataka, including new postings in Bagalkot, Hassan, Koppal, Davanagere, and Bengaluru, among others.

In total, over a dozen officers have been transferred and given new postings.

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