Deadlock in Athuru Kolli settlement: Forest Dept. says illegal; tribals say ancestral

By M.T. Yogesh Kumar

Fifty-two tribal families have recently settled deep inside the Athuru Kolli forest, a dense and wildlife-rich area within the Balekovu Division of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, under the Kutta Range in Kodagu district.

Despite the dangers posed by elephants, tigers, leopards and bears, over 250 individuals have pitched temporary tents, demanding  permanent resettlement.

Previously residing in line houses across coffee estates, they claim ancestral ties to this forest region, stating that their forebears were evicted nearly three decades ago by the Forest Department for rehabilitation purposes. With the support of certain social organisations and activists, they have now returned, asserting their right to the land.

‘Forest Rights’ claims rejected

Their applications for land and housing under the Forest Rights Act have faced serious legal challenges. None of the relevant Departments — including the Forest, Revenue, Social Welfare or Tribal Welfare — possess records indicating that these families ever resided in the area.

Their initial applications filed in 2011 under the Forest Rights Act were rejected due to a lack of evidence and a second attempt in 2024 was also dismissed by the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC), which convened a hearing on June 2 and found no proof of prior residence.

Satellite imagery obtained by the Forest Department from 1985, 2011, 2019 and 2025 clearly shows no signs of human habitation in Athuru Kolli during those years. These images have been presented as evidence in the ongoing dispute.

Furthermore, multiple official surveys and Government-approved plans do not list Athuru Kolli as a recognised forest settlement. The 2006–2007 Mysore Action Plan fails to mention it among reserved forest settlements and the Nagarahole National Park Management Plan (2000–2010), approved in 2002, lists 43 forest settlements but excludesAthuru Kolli.

A University of Mysore survey conducted between 1999 and 2000, titled ‘Inhabitants of Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarahole — Family Profile,’ led by Dr. Ramanaiah, Dr. N. Nagaraju and Ashok, documented 1,041 tribal families residing in Nagarahole but made no mention of Athuru Kolli.

Legal barriers under Forest Rights Act

Under Sections 3 and 4 of the Forest Rights Act, only tribal communities that had been residing in forest areas before December 13, 2005, are eligible for land and housing rights.

Since the families, currently residing in Athuru Kolli, cannot furnish evidence of pre-2005 occupancy, their claims remain legally untenable.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department faces the challenge of addressing their presence in a core wildlife zone, which not only violates Forest Laws but also poses serious risks to human life due to frequent wildlife movement in the area. Officials continue monitoring the situation while activists advocate for recognition of the families’ rights.

‘We will stay in the forest,  even if it costs our lives’

Despite legal and safety concerns, the tribal families remain steadfast in their determination to stay in the forest. Speaking to Star of Mysore, tribal women like Sushila and Renuka recalled being displaced from Athuru Kolli nearly three decades ago by Forest Department officials who had promised them rehabilitation.

They insist that the area holds not only remnants of their past dwellings but also a sacred shrine central to their spiritual beliefs. “Even if we die, we will not leave this land,” they declared, citing their ancestral roots and deep spiritual connection to the area.

For the past two to three decades, these families had been living in line houses (labourers’ quarters) within coffee estates spread across the Kodagu district. However, economic pressures and changes in plantation labour patterns  led to their return.

Many left due to low wages, while others found themselves displaced as jobs in plantations were increasingly taken up by migrant workers from Assam, which disrupted their traditional sources of income.

Now, having abandoned their previous homes, they have chosen Athuru Kolli, located on the Karnataka-Kerala border, as their permanent settlement. Reports suggest that a few tribal families from Kerala have also joined them. Despite their physical presence in the forest, these families face major obstacles in securing legal recognition under the Forest Rights Act.

While all 52 families possess Aadhaar and Ration cards listing their address as Kutta in Virajpet taluk, Kodagu district, none of their official documents mention Athuru Kolli.

Interestingly, they continue to receive benefits under Karnataka’s Anna Bhagya and Gruha Lakshmi welfare schemes. However, their unofficial status in the forest leaves them vulnerable, without access to permanent housing or legal protection.

No lapses from our side: ACF

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Ananya Kumar has clarified that the Forest Department has not committed any lapses or misconduct in handling the situation. He stated that there is no documented evidence of tribal habitation in Athuru Kolli from 1985 to 2025. Based on this lack of evidence, SDLC has legally rejected all applications submitted under Forest Rights Act in accordance with established norms and procedures.