B.K. Singh’s Appeal to CM Regarding Land Grants in Nagarahole
- Illegal Land Grant in Nagarahole
- Survey being conducted hastily to grant three acres of land within swampy grasslands (Hadlus) to claimants.
- The land is within the core area of Nagarahole National Park & Tiger Reserve in Kodagu.
- Violation of Laws & Supreme Court Orders
- Revenue and Social Welfare departments acting under pressure against Supreme Court directives.
- Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, being misinterpreted:
- FRA recognizes rights of those in occupation before December 13, 2005.
- It is not a Land Grant Act.
- Threat to Biodiversity & Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Hadlus are crucial habitats for herbivores like elephants and gaurs.
- If lost, these animals will move into plantations and paddy fields in Virajpet taluk.
- Increased human-wildlife conflict, putting both forest dwellers and crops at risk.
Nagarahole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park)● Location: Kodagu & Mysore districts, Karnataka. ● Name Origin: “Nagarahole” means “snake stream” in Kannada. ● Tiger Reserve: Part of Project Tiger & Project Elephant conservation efforts. ● Wildlife: Home to tigers, elephants, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, gaur, deer, and diverse bird species. ● Water Bodies: Kabini & Taraka reservoirs. |
BMTC achieves record 39.8% ticket revenue through UPI
- Total revenue: ₹83.39 crore
- UPI revenue: ₹35.5 crore (39.8% of total)
Growth in UPI Payments (Jan-Mar 2025)
- Jan: ₹19.66 crore
- Feb: ₹29.36 crore (35.21% of total)
- Feb 8: ₹1 crore+ in a day
- daily UPI revenue: ₹1.04 crore (Feb), ₹1.14 crore (Mar)
BMTC’s Digital Push
- 75% of buses equipped with UPI QR codes.
- Posters for easy scanning & payment.
Impact of Fare Hike
- Min fare: ₹5 → ₹6
- Max fare (non-AC): ₹32
- Led to increased UPI adoption to avoid change handling.
(BMTC) – Overview● Established: 1997 (after restructuring KSRTC), Owned by: Govt. of Karnataka ● Service Area: Bangalore Metropolitan Region (urban, suburban, some rural areas) ● Fleet & Routes: 6482 buses (as of Oct 2019), 2492 routes |
Rare copper plates documenting coronation of Devaraya I unveiled
1. Discovery & Unveiling
- Unveiled by: Falcon Coins Gallery & ASI
- Date: Tuesday (March 2025)
- Era: Early 15th Century (Vijayanagara Empire)
- Language & Script: Sanskrit, Kannada, Nāgarī characters
2. Historical Significance
- Issued during: Coronation of Devaraya I (Sangama Dynasty)
- Seal Feature: Vamana (unusual, as Vijayanagara’s royal insignia was Varaha)
- Date on plates: Saka 1328 (November 5, 1406 CE)
- Genealogy: Traces lineage from Chandra, Yadu, Sangama to his five sons:
- Harihara, Kampa, Bukka, Mãrapa, Muddapa
3. Land Grant Details
- Issued by: Devaraya I (Son of Harihara)
- Granted Village: Gudipalli (renamed Devaräyapuraagrahāra)
- Included Hamlets: Rājēndramāda & Udayapalli
- Division of Land (61 shares)
- Rigvedins:5 shares
- Yajurvedins:5 shares
- Shukla-Yajurvedins: 3 shares
- Dēvabhāga (for Shiva & Janardhana): 2 shares
Location: Mulbāgil rājya, Hodēnādasthala
Green Future: Revisiting the Marginalized Lives of Challakere and Pavagada
1. Introduction
- Clean energy is crucial for a sustainable future.
- However, the burden of climate action is disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalized communities.
2. Challakere: Decline of Traditional Livelihoods
- Challakere kamblis (water-resistant wool blankets) were an essential part of socio-cultural life and a major source of income.
- The industry suffered after 13,000 acres of grassland were taken over for building Science City.
3. India’s Net-Zero Target and Renewable Energy Growth
- India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070 and 500GW non-fossil fuel energy by 2030.
- 2024: Solar installations doubled compared to the previous year.
4. Land Diversions for Renewable Energy Projects
- Large-scale land acquisition in Karnataka: Challakere, Pavagada, Chamarajanagar.
- “Green grabbing”: Displacement of farming communities for renewable projects.
5. Science City in Challakere
- 10,000 acres of ecologically significant grasslands taken over since 2009.
