Chamarajanagara: The Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary forest officers on Sunday June 19 launched Jana Vana Sarige, a unique project in the State to provide transport facility to tribals residing beside forests.
The Forest Department and District Administration have purchased four jeeps at a cost of Rs. 55 lakh which will provide pick up and drop services along four different routes identified by them in the sanctuary. It will operate services along Padasalanatha – Palar – MM Hills, Tolaskere – Indiganatta – Nagamale, MM Hills- Kokkabere -Tokere- Doddane – Martalli route and Pacchedoddi – Kanchali – Ajjipura.
The Forest Department will operate the vehicles everyday from morning till evening and collect nominal charges from the residents for its maintenance. Tribals and villagers living in forest areas and villages along forest fringes had been demanding the successive Governments to ensure transport facilities to their settlement as most of them are located in deep jungles spread over the hilly terrain. As it was slain brigand Veerappan’s den and eco-sensitive zone, the services were denied. However, the Forest Department and District Administration have finally decided to ensure transport facility to several villages along the forest fringes and tribal hamlets where there is no proper bus connectivity.
The services will be a boon for Soliga, Bedagampana tribes and other communities living in the thick forests, particularly pregnant women, senior citizens and patients. The launch of these services will also help students with better connectivity to educational institutions.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Edukondalu said that, “MM Hills sanctuary is the first in the State to ensure vehicle services to its tribal hamlets where there is lack of transportation facility.” He said the vehicle service would work 24X7 to shift villagers, pregnant women to hospitals and nearest bus routes.
