The agitation by nearly 300 tribals of Nagarahole seeking better amenities and implementation of the Forests Rights Act entered its 31st day on Tuesday.
Though a meeting was convened to discuss the issue in Mysuru on Tuesday, it was postponed to Wednesday.
The agitation was launched on January 26 by the residents of Nagapura haadi on the outskirts of Nagarahole National Park. It has since drawn the support of non-tribals as well.
M.B. Prabhu, who is spearheading the campaign on behalf of tribal communities, said Nagarahole is renowned for tigers, elephants and biodiversity, but it was also a tribal reserve. The biodiversity of the forest cannot be appreciated or viewed isolating it from the indigenous people, he said.
He said it was in 1997 that the Centre came up with a comprehensive development and rehabilitation plan for tribals; subsequently, 731 hectares of reserved forest was released for reallocation. Based on the assurance, 280 families from Veeranahosahalli range resettled in Nagapura, but after more than 21 years the land is yet to be allocated to them.
He said every family was promised five acres of agricultural land. Mr. Prabhu added that land survey has not been done properly and there were encroachments, as a result of which most families have got less land than promised. There is a shortfall of 197.15 acres owing to encroachment, he said.
The agitating tribals are also demanding a water purification unit, supply of drinking water to the hamlets, and quality education for children of adivasis. Mr. Prabhu submitted a list of 12 demands to the authorities in Mysuru on Tuesday.
The adivasis also want Nagapura to be declared as a revenue village, which will make them eligible for grants to take up development works.
