SALAR NEWS

Locals can graze cattle in forests: Khandre

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre clarified that only local forest dwellers with rights under the Forest Rights Act can graze cattle in Karnataka’s forests, while large herds from other states remain prohibited.

Salar News

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre (Photo | Wikipedia)

BENGALURU, 24 JULY

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre on Thursday said forest dwellers and tribal communities in Karnataka are allowed to graze their cattle in forest areas under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The restriction applies only to cattle brought in large numbers from neighbouring states for grazing inside forests, he said.

In a statement, Khandre said that in certain parts of the state, grazing cattle in the forest by local people has been a long-standing tradition. The government plans to gradually phase this out by raising awareness among communities living on the fringes of forests and supporting them in cultivating green fodder on their lands, he said.

According to Animal Husbandry Department data, approximately 33,000 cattle are currently being grazed in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary alone.

The minister said grazing such large herds is depleting food and water sources for wild animals, such as elephants, bison, antelope and deer, besides increasing the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease and anthrax among wildlife.

In light of this, the government prohibited the grazing of cattle inside forests, but it has exempted local residents and those with grazing rights under the Forest Rights Act, the minister said.

In Chamarajanagar, the forest department has already used Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to provide high-yield hybrid cows to around 15 farmers. Khandre said the goal is to gradually persuade people to use alternative options, thereby reducing dependence on forests.

He said thousands of cattle from Tamil Nadu and other states have been brought into Karnataka’s forests. This has caused overgrazing and depletion of grasslands, hindrance to natural vegetation growth and a spike in human-wildlife conflicts, he said.