Joint survey ordered for rehabilitation of residents of Chengadi village

DC has sought a comprehensive report from Forest and Revenue departments

The Chamarajanagar district administration has ordered a joint survey of the reserve forest near Vaishampalya in Hanur division of the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary for relocation and rehabilitation of the people of Chengadi village. Deputy Commissioner M.R. Ravi has sought a comprehensive report of the survey by the Forest and Revenue departments, besides an analysis of the pros and cons of the area identified for the relocation. The Revenue Department was also directed to rectify any anomalies and refine the records pertaining to the extent of landholding by individuals and the families identified for relocation. He also called for sorting out any discrepancies in the records in the initial stages itself so as to pave the way for the smooth relocation of the families. It was originally suggested Chikkallur village for the rehabilitation but it was decided to relocate the people of Chengadi to Vaishampalya near Hanur as it was more feasible, said V. Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, M.M. Hills. Though nearly 200 tribal families living in the remote village cut off from mainstream since centuries have periodically sought their relocation, it gained official traction in 2018 after which the State government issued an official order notifying the relocation in 2020. But the pandemic delayed the exercise.