Wildlife conservationist V.M. Pramod has raised serious allegations of large-scale misuse of CAMPA funds and violations in the relocation of forest-dwelling families from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk. In a detailed complaint to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, he has sought action against former Belagavi DCF Maria Christu Raja D, Khanapur ACF Sunita Nimbargi, Bhimgad RFO Syed Nadaf, and officials of the revenue department and Nersa Gram Panchayat.
Pramod alleges that the Talewadi hamlet in Gavali village saw glaring lapses during the relocation exercise. Of the 57 families that applied, 32 were cleared and 27 received the first instalment of ₹10 lakh. Trouble, he says, begins with Survey No. 49 — land purchased by a private individual from Hassan for compensatory afforestation after being certified as suitable by the forest department.
Shockingly, he claims the same land was later entered in government records as “forest dwellers’ houses,” enabling compensation to 10 unrelated families. Pramod calls this a blatant diversion of government money.
His complaint further states that several beneficiaries who were paid continue to live in the village, while some do not own land at all. In contrast, over 30 genuine forest-dwelling families were left out, casting doubt on the transparency and intent of the project.
According to Pramod, the “issues stem from the decisions of the former DCF,” who allegedly sent relocation proposals without gram sabha approval or adherence to the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The proposals were later cleared by then-Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan. Ahead of a ministerial cheque-distribution visit, the Nersa gram panchayat is said to have hurriedly convened a gram sabha — an action he says only deepens suspicion.
Pramod asserts that these “irregularities have severely dented the credibility of the Bhimgad relocation project,” and has urged the Centre to initiate a full investigation.