Karnataka - Others

‘We won’t part with land’

Staff Reporter

Nandagudi (Bangalore Rural): A vast landscape covered by greenery and picturesque hillocks, dotted by many ancient temples and orchards of mango, sapota and guava, Nandagudi hobli is a treat for nature lovers. But, things may not be the same in the future.

Fear has gripped the farmers of 36 villages in this hobli in Bangalore Rural district villagers ever since a township in the area was announced a year and a half ago and development of agricultural fields has hardly taken place since then.

Now, farmers from these villages have become panicky after the Cabinet approved the SEZ a few days ago that is likely to displace them and deprive them of their livelihood.

Seventy-two villages coming under Nandagudi hobli has a population of around 1.5 lakh with sericulture and animal husbandry being the principal source of income to the villagers.

Septuagenarian Uttanahalappa of Ramagovindapura village, who owns 30 acres of land says, “Where should we go if the project comes here and displaces us. All that we know is agriculture and it is not possible to give away our land that has supported us for generations.” The villagers have decided not to give away their land and will fight to retain it, he adds.

A resident of the neighbouring Nelavajilu village N. Deve Gowda said that landowners were small and marginal farmers, dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, and that the project would cause untold misery to them if they were displaced. “Though we have a problem with water supply, judicious use of water through drip irrigation has helped us grow vegetables and fruits besides mulberry that supports sericulture activities,” he said.

Residents of Ittasandra, Hindignala, Banahalli and Nandagudi villages echoed similar sentiments when Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil visited them on Sunday.

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