Karnataka Minister Faces Backlash Over Proposal to Ban Cattle Grazing in Forests

Fast Summary

• Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre directed the Forest Department to take steps to ban livestock grazing in all forest areas of Karnataka following the death of five tigers at M.M. Hills wildlife Sanctuary on June 26.
• The directive has sparked criticism,particularly from politicians and residents in the Malnad region.
• Former Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra opposed the move, arguing that restricting cattle grazing is impractical for villages situated in forest foothills, citing cultural and livelihood challenges.
• Jnanendra also questioned why wild animals can’t be confined to forests after a recent elephant attack led to a fatality.
• Former BJP Minister Hartal Halappa stated that people in Malnad live amidst forests and a ban would disrupt traditional practices like cattle grazing. He lamented the absence of representation from Malnad at ministerial levels overseeing forest policy.
• Congress leaders have also criticized the directive,with senior leader Jayanth Bedur calling it “foolish” due to geographical realities where villages are intertwined with forests.
• G.T. Sathyanarayana from Sagar taluk urged Mr. Khandre to consult local residents before issuing such directives.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The controversy surrounding Forest minister Eshwar Khandre’s directive highlights competing priorities between wildlife conservation efforts and rural livelihoods dependent on traditional practices like livestock grazing. While safeguarding tiger habitats is crucial following recent losses, this must be balanced with socio-economic realities faced by those living near protected areas. Residents of regions like Malnad argue that such policies disregard ground realities where villages coexist closely with forests-a dynamic unique to these communities.

The criticism uniformly across political lines stresses practicality over enforcement; both BJP and Congress leaders agree that imposing blanket bans without consultation risks alienating affected communities while undermining long-term conservation goals reliant on community cooperation.

This issue underscores broader debates around inclusive policymaking in environmental governance-acknowledging regional context should form an integral part of drafting directives aimed at preserving biodiversity while ensuring sustainability for forest-bound populations.

Read more: Source Link