Farmers across coastal Karnataka will convene in Udupi on November 5 for a significant one-day seminar addressing long-standing land rights issues and the escalating challenge of wild animal depredation. The event, slated for 10:30 AM at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium within the Deputy Commissioner's Office Complex in Manipal, aims to highlight critical agricultural sector problems in the region.
The Udupi District Krushika Samaja, in collaboration with the Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada District Krushika Samaja, and the Udupi District Horticultural Growers' Cooperative Society, is jointly organizing the discussion. Ashok Kumar Kodgi, President of the Udupi District Krushika Samaja, announced these details at a press conference held at the Udupi Press Club on November 3. He urged a large turnout from farmers across Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada districts to participate, discuss their grievances, and draw the state government's attention.
The seminar will delve into crucial topics including Kumki land rights, the status of cashew lease lands, the implications of the Kasturirangan report, and the persistent problem of wildlife causing crop damage. Several prominent political figures are expected to attend. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary will inaugurate the seminar, with Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna presiding over the session.
Chief guests will include Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra, Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Mankala S. Vaidya, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole, and Kundapura MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi.
During the press briefing, agricultural representatives voiced specific demands. Pradeep Hebbar Nanchar, State Director of the Krushika Samaja, highlighted anxieties stemming from the Kasturirangan report's recommendations. He stressed the need to exclude private agricultural lands from Eco-Sensitive Zone declarations and urged the central government to re-evaluate previous notifications. Vithal Shetty Shedikodlu, Vice President of the Udupi District Horticultural Growers' Association, described the severe impact of wild animals like wild boars, deer, peacocks, monkeys, and wild bison, forcing farmers to abandon cultivation. He called for urgent government intervention to control these animals.
Speakers also reiterated the long-standing demand for granting 'khata' (title deeds) to farmers for Kumki lands, which are government lands within 100 yards of private agricultural plots used for generations. Additionally, they pressed for the ownership transfer of government barren lands, leased for cashew cultivation for 30-year periods starting in 1958-59, to the respective farmers at market rates, as these leases have now expired. Dr. Atul Kumar Shetty Chittoor, Upendra Nayak, and Vaikuntha Herle were also present at the press meet.
Image: varthabharati.in
đź“° Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi