Major irregularities have come to light in the relocation of 32 families from Talewadi hamlet in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Khanapur taluk, carried out by the forest department in January this year. Sources allege that several beneficiaries who received government compensation did not own land, making them ineligible under relocation rules. The state government has already called for an inquiry into the matter.
Over 56 families from Talewadi, under Gavali revenue village, had applied for relocation years ago. The district-level committee, headed by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, approved ₹10 lakh compensation each for 32 families. Of these, 27 received their first instalment in May. It has now emerged that many of these families did not meet eligibility norms.
As per the Wildlife Protection Act and NTCA guidelines, only forest dwellers living inside protected areas, who voluntarily surrender their land and property after due verification, are eligible for priority compensation. Their land is then handed over to the forest department and declared part of the protected area.
However, at least 10 beneficiaries were found to be living on land belonging to M.M. Suresh, who earlier sought diversion of forest land in Hassan district for a stone quarry project. For clearance, he had purchased non-forest land in Talewadi (Survey No. 49) for compensatory afforestation, which was transferred to his name in June last year. The then DCF (Belagavi division), Maria Christu Raja D—since transferred—certified the land for afforestation, and later also recommended relocation compensation for families residing on the same land. This effectively meant the same parcel was counted twice—once for afforestation and again for relocation.
Further irregularities were noted among the remaining 17 compensated families, many of whom continue to occupy Gramthana (government land), while nearly 30 families with valid land ownership records were excluded. Guidelines specifically mandate that land-owning families should be given priority in relocation.
Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil, who has been pursuing the case, said he has collected substantial proof of the lapses. “I raised the issue before the legislative assembly’s estimate committee, after which an inquiry has been ordered,” he said.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed DCF, N.E. Kranti, stated that he would first review the documents before offering any comments.
