Jenu Kuruba Tribals Face Fresh Eviction Threat in Nagarahole: 70+ Groups Rally in Support, Demand Justice
Bengaluru, 12 May 2025: In a powerful show of solidarity, more than 70 social and environmental organizations, legal professionals, academicians, and youth groups across India have come together to support the Jenu Kuruba tribal community of Nagarahole, who are facing renewed threats of forced eviction from their ancestral lands in blatant violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
On 12 May 2025, a delegation representing this broad-based coalition met with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Sri Subhash K. Malkhede, and submitted a formal letter urging the immediate withdrawal of armed forces deployed in Karadikallu Hattur Kollehaadi, inside the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. The appeal was also addressed to Meenakshi Negi, PCCF (Head of Forest Forces).
Tension in Nagarahole: Paramilitary Forces Deployed
The urgent plea comes amid escalating tension in Karadikallu since 5 May, where over 120 personnel from the Forest Department, State Police, and Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) have been deployed. Community leaders say the presence of these forces is a deliberate intimidation tactic against the 52 Jenu Kuruba families who returned earlier this month to reclaim the village they were evicted from over four decades ago.
“The Jenu Kuruba, Betta Kuruba, Yerava, and Paniya Adivasi peoples have lived in the Nagarahole forests for generations—long before the Forest Department even existed,” asserted the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti (NAJHSS), a local tribal rights body.
According to community statements, troops have dismantled shelters, sacred spaces, and temporary facilities for menstruating women—actions the collective condemns as violations of both human dignity and constitutional rights.
Forest Rights Claims Ignored, Say Tribal Leaders
Contrary to claims by forest authorities that the community’s FRA applications were rejected, Jenu Kuruba leaders allege that the Forest Department itself has failed to follow legal protocols.
“Our FRA claims were filed in 2021 with full documentation and joint verification by the Panchayat, Revenue, Tribal Welfare, and Forest Departments. Not only have they not responded within the mandated three months, but they are also now trying to criminalize our return,” said JA Shivu, President of the Karadikallu Forest Rights Committee.
The community says they have made multiple attempts to engage with authorities. Despite being called for a meeting on 7 May, representatives were made to wait the entire day without any official response.
“We are ready for dialogue. We met our local MLA and spoke with him openly. Why won’t the Forest Department meet us?” Shivu questioned.
Authorities Deny Military Presence, Deflect Blame
In the meeting with the solidarity group, PCCF (Wildlife) Subhash Malkhede denied the presence of paramilitary forces—despite photographs and widespread media coverage that clearly show heavily armed troops on the ground.
He further claimed delays in processing FRA claims were due to the absence of Gram Panchayat elections over the past eight years. The community has strongly rebutted this claim.
“This is a deliberate misdirection,” said Shivu. “Our Gram Sabha has been active since 2009, and we have a functioning Forest Rights Committee. The Forest Rights Act does not require panchayat elections—it requires recognition of our ancestral rights.”
Demands from Civil Society: End the Injustice
In their submission, the solidarity collective laid out four core demands:
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Immediate withdrawal of all armed forces from Karadikallu to end intimidation.
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Initiation of direct dialogue with the NAJHSS and Karadikallu Forest Rights Committee to address the situation democratically.
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Unhindered media access to the area to ensure transparency.
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Recognition and approval of all pending IFR (Individual Forest Rights), CFR (Community Forest Rights), and CFRR (Community Forest Resource Rights) claims filed in 2021.
A Growing Movement of Resistance and Solidarity
The solidarity group includes the Karnataka chapter of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice, academic representatives from the University of Mysore and NIAS, youth-led campaigns like Fridays for Future and the All India Students Association, and national alliances such as the National Alliance of People’s Movements and the National Council for Women Leaders.
Noted individuals endorsing the appeal include senior activist Meera Sanghamitra, environmental writer Yuvan Aves, and legal scholar Abhayraj Naik, among others.
Their message is clear: forced evictions under the pretext of conservation are unjust, illegal, and deeply harmful to the Indigenous communities who have lived in and protected these forests for generations.
A Call to Conscience
As the Forest Department continues to deny wrongdoing and downplay the use of force, the voices of the Jenu Kuruba and their supporters are growing louder. What’s unfolding in Nagarahole is not just a local conflict—it is a test of the Indian state’s commitment to justice, Indigenous rights, and constitutional law.
“It’s not a crime to go back home,” said one Karadikallu elder. “We are only asking for what is already ours.”
Contact for More Information:
Solidarity Group: Sanjana: 8105440177 Nishkala: 7022451353
Karadikallu Community: JA Shivu: 8197620535 Rajan: 775188
🗣️ Key Quotes
“We are only claiming our ancestral homes, from which we were forcibly evicted. The Forest Rights Act gives us that right.”
— JA Shivu, President, Karadikallu Forest Rights Committee
“Our Gram Sabha has been active since 2009. Linking our rights to panchayat elections is a deliberate excuse to deny justice.”
— Community representative from Karadikallu
“The Forest Department is violating the law, not us. Our FRA claims are backed by official verification and surveys.”
— Member of Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti (NAJHSS)
“Deploying armed forces against Indigenous forest dwellers is an act of aggression, not conservation.”
— Meera Sanghamitra, Senior Activist
“This is not about wildlife protection—it’s about erasing Indigenous presence and breaking their resistance.”
— Yuvan Aves, Environmental Writer & Defender
❓Quick Q&A with JA Shivu
Q: Why did the Jenu Kuruba families return to Karadikallu?
A: Because it’s our ancestral land. We were illegally evicted in the 1980s. We are only reclaiming what is ours under the Forest Rights Act.
Q: Are the claims that your FRA applications were rejected true?
A: Absolutely not. Our claims were filed in 2021, verified jointly, and backed by documentation. The Forest Department never responded as they should have.
Q: Did you try to engage with the authorities before returning?
A: Yes. We sent memorandums, tried to meet officials, and even waited all day on 7 May at the ACF’s office. No one came to talk to us.
Q: What are your immediate demands?
A: Remove all armed forces, start a real dialogue with us, allow the media in, and approve our legal rights under FRA.
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It’s high time we should respond about our rights
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