Members of various tribal communities from 34 villages in the Nagarahole forest area have planned to undertake a 15-day padayatra to raise awareness on the Forest Rights Act.
The padayatra will start from Thithimathi in Kodagu district on December 21 and will end near H.D. Kote in Mysuru on January 4, 2026. Around 500 people are expected to join the march on the first day and the numbers are expected to increase, said Ramakrishna J.S., Jenu Kuruba community member from the region.
Engaging youth
According to leaders of the tribal communities, one of the primary aims of the initiative is to engage the youth in each village in the region and remind them of the adivasi worldview. Skits, traditional songs and songs of resistance on the threats faced by communities in the region will be part of the programme.
“The implementation of Individual Forest Rights and Community Forest Rights has not been effective in the Nagarahole region. While some communities have got rights on paper, the implementation has been shoddy,” alleged J.A. Shivu, leader of the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti
Allegations of harassment
“Members of our communities face harassment by officials constantly. This is adivasi land. Why must we beg for the rights to live on our own lands? Rights are being taken from us and given to plantations and resorts, who make profits out of cultures that are not theirs,” he added.
The community leaders also noted that they intend to have discussions with officials towards the end of the march.
Published – December 17, 2025 10:07 pm IST
