Naxalism and Karnataka
Naxal presence in Karnataka was confined to the north of the state, particularly Raichur district, which borders Andhra Pradesh. Wildlife experts see no reason other than the eviction issue for Naxalism to flourish in the region. "Compared to the dry areas of Andhra Pradesh where the still-prevalent zamindari system breeds Naxalism, the socio-economic situation in the Malnad areas of Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur (all inside Kudremukh national park) is different,' says Girija Shankar, editor of Janamitra, a local daily. Extensive land reforms here have resulted in equitable redistribution of land in the 1970s, he adds. The daily wage offered to farm workers is between Rs 100 and Rs 120. Literacy in some of these areas is also high. "Some parts in Chikmagalur district (that are outside the national park) are affected by Naxalism. But there are other reasons for that: farmers have small landholdings and many are landless, they get relatively low wages