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Farmers seek realignment of circular railway project to protect fertile lands

Farmers seek realignment of circular railway project to protect fertile lands

He said the alignment should be diverted from fertile farmland to nearby dry land, 2-3 km way. 'If there's a practical way to avoid damage to agricultural land, why not consider it? We request officials to make field visits. They may not be fully aware of the ground reality because decisions are often made using satellite maps,' he said.
He pointed to the intersection of the circular railway project and Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project at Vaddarahalli. 'It will affect residential life with trains running in all directions causing noise pollution and other disruptions,' he said.
Reddy noted that only 5-10% of the locality consists of fertile farmland. 'The remaining includes dry areas, Nilgiri plantations and others, which can be used for the project,' he said.
Prashanth Kumar, another local farmer, said, 'There are already very few farmers and farmlands, and in that little land, why construct a railway track? I request that the alignment be made at least 100 metres away from my farmland where there is dry land and government-owned land. With the compensation money, we can't get another farmland anywhere,' he said
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'Feed them at home?' That one line has dog lovers fuming and why
'Feed them at home?' That one line has dog lovers fuming and why

India Today

time5 days ago

  • India Today

'Feed them at home?' That one line has dog lovers fuming and why

A simple question - "Why don't you feed them at home?" - posed by the Supreme Court during a recent hearing has reignited an already simmering debate: Should stray dogs be fed in public spaces, or does this practice create more chaos than compassion?For dog lovers and feeders, the remark stings. While this was just an observation and not a ruling, many fear that such statements coming from the country's highest court could further deepen the existing fault lines between the animal lovers and those who perceive the strays as a isn't the problem. The system isadvertisementHarshitha Reddy, organiser of PETEX India, says the real issue is not people feeding dogs, but the systemic failure in neutering and vaccinating them. 'There's a widespread misunderstanding that feeding strays leads to their population growing. That's just not true. What's actually fuelling the increase is the lack of active spaying and neutering by civic bodies,' she says. She points out that even in cities like Bengaluru, civic authorities have gone so far as to allocate budgets, Rs 2.88 crore in this case, for feeding strays, recognising the need for compassion alongside why does feeding strays continue to be such a flashpoint?'Because for someone who's not familiar with dog behaviour, it's easy to be swayed by fear,' Reddy says. 'One attack video can override the dozens of peaceful interactions that go unnoticed.'She adds that the media and civic authorities both have a role in spreading awareness about what to do, what not to do, and why sterilisation is key. 'This isn't just an animal issue. It's a civic issue. NGOs are willing to help, but they need consistent support. The load can't be carried by animal lovers alone.'A remark, a ripple effectMeet Ashar, legal advisor and director of Cruelty Response at PETA India, stresses that the Supreme Court's recent 'feed them at home' statement wasn't part of any binding judgment. 'It was an oral remark, not a direction, not an order,' he worries, however, about the unintended impact. 'Even an offhand comment can embolden those who are already hostile towards animals. It gives them a sense of validation, 'See, even the Supreme Court said it.' That's dangerous.'But Ashar is also hopeful. 'The same Supreme Court has, on record, protected the rights of feeders. In 2022, it stayed a Bombay High Court order that penalised public feeding, clearly stating that adoption doesn't mean strays must be taken home. Feeding them in designated spots is the settled position.'He points to amendments made in the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which inserted Rule 20, officially recognising the role of feeders in helping sterilise and vaccinate dogs. 'Feeding helps humanise the dogs. Only when they're friendly can they be safely caught, neutered, and vaccinated. That's how we control population and keep rabies in check.'Beyond dog vs humanAt the heart of the issue lies a deeper question: Are we framing the debate fairly?After speaking to numerous people who have a fear of dogs, their anxiety often stems from just one thing: they may bite us, harm us, or even maul time there's a video of a dog mauling a man or child, or worse, killing someone, the debate reignites: Do these strays even deserve a place in society?And to be honest, their concerns are, to some extent, what we often forget to ask is whether the behaviour was a repercussion—was it triggered by something the victim did, or perhaps rooted in past trauma? Because, believe it or not, animals have their fair share of trauma too.'Every time there's an attack, we speak about dangerous dogs. But we rarely talk about how dogs are treated, abused, run over, left to starve,' Reddy points out. 'There's a double standard there.'advertisementAshar echoes that sentiment. 'Imagine going hungry, being kicked, and then being expected to stay friendly. No living being reacts well to mistreatment.'Both of them agree that solving this issue requires collective effort. Not just dog lovers. Not just haters. But civic bodies, RWAs, NGOs, the media, and most importantly, the next?On July 23, when the matter is taken up again in court, the petitioner's lawyer will have the opportunity to present the other side of the story. A chance to shift the conversation from "Who's feeding whom?" to "How can we manage this humanely and effectively?"Because at the end of the day, this isn't about dogs vs humans. It's about coexistence, and the kind of society we want to build.- EndsTrending Reel

‘Tiger Lessons': A compelling novel about the shared existence of humans and animals in the forests
‘Tiger Lessons': A compelling novel about the shared existence of humans and animals in the forests

Scroll.in

time7 days ago

  • Scroll.in

‘Tiger Lessons': A compelling novel about the shared existence of humans and animals in the forests

'When a hundred lives are lying hungry in the backyard, how can I eat food here?' Gurappa questions his family when they ask him to eat his meal in peace without bothering about the sheep in the pen. Just like other shepherds in his village, Gurappa measures his own happiness by the merry bleatings of his sheep. The fact that he was unable to enjoy his meal while the animals starved was far-fetched for his family. It often earned him a look of disapproval from them. But it reveals Gurappa's character immediately, and along with it, the worldview of this unusual and striking novel. Konda Polam by Sannapureddy Venkatarami Reddy has been translated into English as Tiger Lessons by Narasimha Kumar from the Telugu. It explores the lives of shepherds, locally known as gollas while their village, situated at the foothills of the Nallamala forests in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, experiences the devastating consequences of famine. The novel captures the ordeals of the gollas during Konda Polam, a practice where shepherds take their flocks to graze deep inside the forests during famine. This period was particularly difficult for shepherds as food and water were scarce. They had to survive on rationed food of hard millet rotis, jaggery, pickles, onions, and rice. As if surviving on rationed food for weeks on end was not enough, the constant anxiety of not having enough water for themselves and their flock increased their hardship. The rustic idiom For someone like me who has lived their entire childhood immersed in nature, over time, I have developed a deep appreciation for the natural world. The dense and detailed description of pastoral life in Tiger Lessons can only be explained by Reddy's true understanding of the Nallamala region. He evocatively portrays the truth of such a life, the communities' resilience, and their ability to withstand environmental shocks while adapting to their new circumstances. Reddy's words have a magical way of climbing into the readers' hearts. I would like to especially mention the exquisite description of the fortitude of shepherds during Konda Polam. Tiger Lessons offers an honest perspective of everyday experiences and emotions of the golla, as well as yaanadi, and sugaali tribes who live in the Nallamala region. In fact, the translation of local Telugu idioms and proverbs adds a layer of richness to the story. It is these unique elements that make this novel a captivating read. The tribesmen's banter and witticisms signify how individuals and groups blend into social structures, systems, or networks, often with long-standing historical or cultural roots. Though a few aspects of the translation might appear unrefined to a sensitive reader, I believe that for a translator who wants to capture realities as they are, he chooses this route to convey unpleasant truths. In this novel, Kumar appears to have rejected an idealised translation style. 'Springs of the Eternal Soul', 'Mead of the Bald Oxen', 'Guy with Crooked Ears', 'Frolic Springs', and 'Pile of Bean Creepers' – the names of places awakened wistfulness in me for a time that is long bygone, and to a land into which I have never stepped into. However, when a novel narrates a life across several pages, its novelty wears off after a while. In Tiger Lessons, while this may be the case, the author introduces surprise elements to keep the story interesting. A disruptive moment comes when the gollas encounter tigers from whom they must defend themselves and their flock. There is another unusual scene featuring the courtship behaviours of a male and a female python. The male follows a trail of scent and mating calls left by the female, eventually copulating in the wilderness. It is impossible for a reader not to be struck by the skill and artistry woven into these descriptions, especially those of the animal kingdom. A hard, merciless world Tiger Lessons also draws attention to social injustices faced by the yaanadi tribe through the lens of true events, where, driven by greed, vested interests commit environmental crimes by exploiting natural resources. The tribe who ekes out living by fishing, hunting, and foraging – wild turmeric, hill pepper, jungle millets, medicinal herbs, and various edible roots get sucked into a world of crime. Reddy writes piercingly about the organised red sandalwood smugglers who thrive in the Nallamala forests. These smugglers cater to a lucrative black market by turning the poor yaanadis into scapegoats. A tribe that possesses only forest survival skills, therefore, becomes easy prey to law enforcement agencies. The realism is deepened by the fact that Reddy grew up only a few miles from the foothills of the Nallamala ranges. Tiger Lessons also reminded me of Man-Eaters of Kumaon, The Temple Tiger, and The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag by Jim Corbett, not in the way that Corbett, a hunter, naturalist, and writer, tracked man-eating tigers and leopards, but more in terms of the writing style. Tiger Lessons encourages patience, persistence, and a deeper appreciation for natural rhythms. Readers will also be inspired to step away from a purely urban or technologically driven existence and reconnect with the natural world, fostering a greater understanding of ecological balance and sustainability. The characters in this book are multifaceted and sometimes they contradict their original personalities. Reddy has captured not just the misgivings of the human heart but also of the animal and plant kingdoms. A profound love for the natural world turns out to be a powerful catalyst for Ravi, the software engineer turned shepherd. After experiencing Konda Polam for the first time, Ravi is inspired to make life-altering decisions towards environmental activism and conservation work. As the translator, Kumar has strived to maintain Reddy's original intent and voice. He displays a strong linguistic and etymological knowledge of the lives he's written about. Tiger Lessons is a rare novel. It gives the reader lessons in various disciplines – geography, anthropology, biology, botany, economics, and agriculture. Not only does it create a richer and more personal experience but it also gives us a unique sensory experience that will be hard to forget long.

Farmers seek realignment of circular railway project to protect fertile lands
Farmers seek realignment of circular railway project to protect fertile lands

New Indian Express

time16-07-2025

  • New Indian Express

Farmers seek realignment of circular railway project to protect fertile lands

He said the alignment should be diverted from fertile farmland to nearby dry land, 2-3 km way. 'If there's a practical way to avoid damage to agricultural land, why not consider it? We request officials to make field visits. They may not be fully aware of the ground reality because decisions are often made using satellite maps,' he said. He pointed to the intersection of the circular railway project and Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project at Vaddarahalli. 'It will affect residential life with trains running in all directions causing noise pollution and other disruptions,' he said. Reddy noted that only 5-10% of the locality consists of fertile farmland. 'The remaining includes dry areas, Nilgiri plantations and others, which can be used for the project,' he said. Prashanth Kumar, another local farmer, said, 'There are already very few farmers and farmlands, and in that little land, why construct a railway track? I request that the alignment be made at least 100 metres away from my farmland where there is dry land and government-owned land. With the compensation money, we can't get another farmland anywhere,' he said

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