Of the 630 revenue villages in the district, 620 have no graveyards for the SC/ST communities, according to official records.
There are 151 revenue villages in Koppal taluk, 158 in Gangavati taluk, 144 in Yelburga taluk and 177 in Kushtagi taluk.
Of these, 196 villages have no graveyards for any community. Ironically, government land to the extent of 465 acres in Koppal taluk, 1,427 acres in Gangavati taluk, 84 acres in Kushtagi taluk and 198 acres in Yelburga taluk continues to be encroached.
When asked what could be the way out in case of deaths in villages without graveyards, official sources said the body has to be buried in the available land on the banks of tanks.
There have been instances of people trudging long distances to bury bodies, sources noted.
The SC/ST community is finding it very difficult with no graveyards. Additional Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal told Express that all the four tahsildars have been directed to identify land and submit proposals for graveyards wherever unavailable.
Though government land has been encroached, the same may not be suitable for graveyards as it is away from villages.