Leave Our Fertile Land as It Is: Township Project Sparks Protests in Bidadi
For 434 days, farmers in Bidadi have been fighting against a massive 7,481-acre township project that threatens their livelihoods and the fertility of their land.
Key Points:
- Farmers' Livelihoods at Risk: Families like Girish's rely on 4.5 acres of farmland that produces silk, coconuts, and bananas, ensuring financial stability despite modest wealth.
- Township Project Details: The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project will cover 7,481 acres, with final land acquisition notifications expected soon after initial resistance in early 2025.
- Protests and Resistance: Farmers have been protesting and blocking survey teams, demanding a referendum and rejecting compensation offers for developed sites.
- Government's Justification: Officials claim declining agricultural returns and pollution justify the project, offering higher-than-average compensation and developed land options to incentivise landowners.
- Community's Counterarguments: Farmers highlight Bidadi's agricultural contributions, including 6 lakh litres of milk daily and 2 lakh coconut trees, arguing the land's fertility must be preserved.
Key Statistics:
- 7,481 acres: Size of the township project
- 434 days: Duration of protests
- 6 lakh litres: Daily milk production from Bidadi
- 2 lakh: Number of coconut trees in Bidadi
- Rs 2.55 crore: Compensation offered per acre