Latest news with #AnanyaKumar
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Forest officials raze ‘illegal' sheds of tribals in Nagarahole wildlife range
The forest personnel on Wednesday dismantled six alleged unauthorised sheds erected inside the Attur-Kolli forest area of the Nagarahole Wildlife Range. This was in response to repeated resistance by tribal families who had occupied the land in early May and were reportedly obstructing forest department officials from accessing the site. According to Nagarahole assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Ananya Kumar, members of the tribal community entered the forest on May 5 and felled nearly 42 saplings to clear space for new shelters. 'Despite being served a notice on June 17 and given another chance on June 18 to voluntarily dismantle the new sheds, the encroachers blocked entry routes of officials,' Kumar said. 'Forest staff, under heavy police cover, accessed the area through an alternative path and proceeded with the demolition.' He said that claims by the tribal families that asserted ancestral links to the land could not be substantiated. 'The tribals claimed that they were the original inhabitants of the forest and staying since decades. But the documents available with department and surveys conducted by NGOs and even Google Maps found no human inhabitant in the area earlier. According to the Forest Rights Act, the inhabitants should have constructed their huts and cultivated the land in the forest before December 13, 2005. But there were no signs of human living, and the tribals failed to provide any proof of it,' he said, adding that the sub-division level committee (SDLC) had already rejected their land rights petition. He further said that while six new structures were demolished, six earlier sheds built in May were left untouched. Officials clarified that while the SDLC had turned down the land claims on May 22 this year, the applicants still have the right to appeal before the district level committee (DLC) within 60 days. The eviction has sparked a backlash from tribal rights activists. JA Shivu, president of the Nagarhole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samithi, said the affected families had long-standing ties to the forest and had only temporarily migrated for work. 'We are not demanding any new rights from government, it is our right which is given by the Act under the Constitution but forest officials are suppressing our rights. We will take up agitation till our right is given,' he said. In a statement issued by the Karadikallu Atturu Kolli Haadi Forest Rights Committee, residents claimed they had returned to their ancestral land on May 5. 'On 17-06-2025, we, the people of Karadikallu Atturu Kolli village, been served a we should immediately destroy the they threatened that they will bring down the huts and file criminal charges against our people. This is a serious and absolute travesty of justice,' the statement read.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Forest dept dismantles Jenu Kuruba tents in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
Mysuru: Weeks after more than four dozen Jenu Kuruba families entered Nagarahole Tiger Reserve and set up temporary tents, claiming land rights, the state forest department on Wednesday dismantled six temporary tents erected at Attur Kolli Haadi inside Nagarahole forest. The operation was carried out under tight security after the indigenous dwellers' claims over the forest area were rejected by the sub-division level forest rights committee (SDLC) in Madikeri on May 22. The claimants were given an opportunity to appeal the SDLC decision at the district-level committee within 60 days. Meanwhile, the Jenu Kuruba families alleged the operation was inhumane. "These six sheds were constructed only after taking permission at the gram sabha on May 20. The gram sabha was organised under the Forest Rights Act. Now, the forest department has violated the provisions of the act," they charged. According to the forest department, the Jenu Kuruba families had illegally entered and occupied an area of the Attur-Kolli forest within the Nagarahole Wildlife Range on May 5 and had been residing there since then. Six sheds were illegally constructed on June 17 by clearing the vegetation and chopping off around 42 small-sized trees, officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo A notice was issued to the tribal community heads the same day to clear out the six new tents, and they were given another opportunity on Wednesday to voluntarily remove the structures. However, they refused and blocked forest and police personnel from entering the area. The personnel then reached the spot through an alternative route and cleared out the area, ACF (Nagarahole wildlife sub-division) J Ananya Kumar said in a press release. However, forest officials clarified that the structures erected on May 5 were not dismantled.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Tribals cry foul as officials raze huts in Nagarahole tiger reserve
The Forest Department of Karnataka carried out an operation in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on June 18 to clear new constructions that had come up overnight even as tribals and activists cried foul over the move. The incident is a fallout of the long-drawn dispute between the Forest Department and the tribal communities who have alleged that their claims under the Forest Rights Act have been rejected by the authorities. On May 5 and 6, about 150 tribals from Attur Kolli forest areas who work in the local estates, had asserted their rights over forest land. They refused to vacate the place pending settlement of their claims. Some sheds or dwelling units were constructed at that time, and the 52 families, who had claimed rights over the forest land, were camping there. Ananya Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Nagarahole Wildlife Division, said that the residential dwellings that were removed on June 18, had come up overnight and were in addition to the six units constructed in May. ''The earlier dwellings have not been disturbed,' he added. The new huts were constructed in Nalikeri forest in the Nagarahole Wildlife Division. The operation was carried out in the presence of police amidst opposition from tribals and rights activists. Ananya Kumar said the Forest Department was forced to clear the fresh construction. 'If left unchecked, their numbers could proliferate and lead to large-scale encroachment of the tiger reserve.' The authorities said 52 families are claiming rights over the forest land, but available documents indicate that there was no hamlet by the name of Attur Koli in the records. The activists claim that the village or hamlet has been mentioned in the Muzaffar Assadi Committee report and the local people have ration cards, death certificates, school certificates mentioning their village as Karikallu Atturu Koli village. The local villagers have reached out to the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission and submitted a petition. The Forest Department was accused of suppressing the rights of individuals and the community to life, dignity, food, shelter, land, water and livelihood, all of which are fundamental human rights, according to the petition submitted to the KSHRC.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Guest list for G7 summit tells of global challenges
The G7 may be a small, elite club, but when its leaders gather in Canada, several other national heads will attend as guests -- highlighting the group's efforts to adapt to a fast-changing world. The leaders of India, Ukraine, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea are among a carefully selected guest list drawn up at a time of global turmoil and a radical new US approach to world affairs. Summit invitations have become part of the G7 routine, and the host nation often likes to make a "welcome-to-this-exclusive-club" gesture, Ananya Kumar, of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, told AFP. "The leaders want to meet each other, and you'll see the guests being a part of most of the work that happens." Some hosts "really want certain guests there to show their significance in the global economy," she added. This year's summit in the Canadian Rockies comes as the G7's share of world GDP has fallen from 63 percent in 1992 to 44 percent today, and as member nations deliberate on troubled relations with China and Russia. "It's important to think of who will be there in the room as they're making these decisions," Kumar said ahead of the three-day event that mixes leadership meetings with "the nitty-gritty ministerial work." Fifty years ago, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States formed the G6, first meeting at a French chateau, before Canada joined the following year. Russia itself was a guest in the early 1990s, becoming a full member of the G8 in 1998 before being expelled in 2014. Notable guests for the summit that starts Sunday include: - Ukraine - President Volodymyr Zelensky's presence in Canada is a sign of continuing broad G7 support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion -- despite Donald Trump's skepticism. The US president regularly criticizes Zelensky and has upended the West's supply of vital military, financial and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Zelensky aims to use the summit to press for more US sanctions on Moscow, saying last week "I count on having a conversation" with Trump, who wants a quick peace deal. - India - Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the last G7 summit as India -- the most populous nation in the world -- takes an evermore important role in geopolitics. But his invitation this year was far from certain. Relations between India and Canada have turned sour over accusations of New Delhi's involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada. Modi and new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will have a chance to reset ties. India is also a leading member of BRICS -- a more fractured bloc that includes Russia and China, but which has growing economic clout and is increasingly seen as a G7 rival. - Mexico - President Claudia Sheinbaum's invitation means Canada has ensured that all three members of the USMCA free trade agreement will be present. Trump is seeking to transform the deal when it is up for review next year, as he pursues his global tariff war aimed at shifting manufacturing back to the United States. Enrique Millan-Mejia, of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, said he expected Mexico to use the summit to touch base with United States on tariffs and the USMCA, but he forecast no major breakthroughs. - South Africa - President Cyril Ramaphosa can expect a friendlier welcome than he got from Trump last month, when their Oval Office meeting included a surprise video alleging the South African government was overseeing the genocide of white farmers. Ramaphosa may hope he can make progress repairing badly strained ties via a quiet word with Trump away from the cameras. The former anti-apartheid activist is attending the summit as South Africa holds the current presidency of the wider G20 group, and he said he plans to push its agenda in Canada. - South Korea - Carney appears keen to expand the event to bring in other partners that hold views generally aligned with core members. South Korea fits the bill and has emerged since the Ukraine war as a major defense exporter to Europe, although it has stopped short of directly sending arms to Kyiv. Newly elected President Lee Jae-myung, who comes from the left, will attend after winning a snap election triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration. bgs/sct/des
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Guest list for G7 summit tells of global challenges
The Group of Seven may be a small, elite club, but when its leaders gather in Canada, several other national heads will attend as guests — highlighting the group's efforts to adapt to a fast-changing world. The leaders of India, Ukraine, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea are among a carefully selected guest list drawn up at a time of global turmoil and a radical new U.S. approach to world affairs. Summit invitations have become part of the G7 routine, and the host nation often likes to make a "welcome-to-this-exclusive-club" gesture, said Ananya Kumar, of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center. "The leaders want to meet each other, and you'll see the guests being a part of most of the work that happens." Some hosts "really want certain guests there to show their significance in the global economy," she added. This year's summit in the Canadian Rockies comes as the G7's share of world GDP has fallen from 63% in 1992 to 44% today, and as member nations deliberate on troubled relations with China and Russia. "It's important to think of who will be there in the room as they're making these decisions," Kumar said ahead of the three-day event that mixes leadership meetings with "the nitty-gritty ministerial work." Fifty years ago, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States formed the G6, first meeting at a French chateau, before Canada joined the following year. Russia itself was a guest in the early 1990s, becoming a full member of the G8 in 1998 before being expelled in 2014. Notable guests for the summit that starts Sunday include: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's presence in Canada is a sign of continuing broad G7 support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion — despite Donald Trump's skepticism. The U.S. president regularly criticizes Zelenskyy and has upended the West's supply of vital military, financial and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Zelenskyy aims to use the summit to press for more U.S. sanctions on Moscow, saying last week "I count on having a conversation" with Trump, who wants a quick peace deal. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the last G7 summit as India — the most populous nation in the world — takes an evermore important role in geopolitics. But his invitation this year was far from certain. Relations between India and Canada have turned sour over accusations of New Delhi's involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada. Modi and new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will have a chance to reset ties. India is also a leading member of BRICS — a more fractured bloc that includes Russia and China, but which has growing economic clout and is increasingly seen as a G7 rival. Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum's invitation means Canada has ensured that all three members of the USMCA free trade agreement will be present. Trump is seeking to transform the deal when it is up for review next year, as he pursues his global tariff war aimed at shifting manufacturing back to the United States. Enrique Millan-Mejia, of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, said he expected Mexico to use the summit to touch base with United States on tariffs and the USMCA, but he forecast no major breakthroughs. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa can expect a friendlier welcome than he got from Trump last month, when their Oval Office meeting included a surprise video alleging the South African government was overseeing the genocide of white farmers. Ramaphosa may hope he can make progress repairing badly strained ties via a quiet word with Trump away from the cameras. The former anti-apartheid activist is attending the summit as South Africa holds the current presidency of the wider Group of 20 body, and he said he plans to push its agenda in Canada. South Korea Carney appears keen to expand the event to bring in other partners that hold views generally aligned with core members. South Korea fits the bill and has emerged since the Ukraine war as a major defense exporter to Europe, although it has stopped short of directly sending arms to Kyiv. Newly elected President Lee Jae-myung, who comes from the left, will attend after winning a snap election triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration.
