THRISSUR: Panic, perhaps, is the common emotion across the country after the demonetisation drive left millions short of hard cash. But a visit to the nine tribal settlements in the Vazhachal Forest Division here will transport you to a world free of chaos.
In fact, the nearly 1,500 inhabitants here have not even worried about the demonetisation or current market trend. But in an endearing way, more than in the form of ignorance or nonchalance. They have a centuries-old way to carry out their daily transactions - barter system. They have no access to a bank or ATM and even to some government institutions which accept demonetised high value currency notes. All they have is a post office near Vettilappara.
Geetha, Ooru Moopathi, Vazhachal, told Express that collection and sale of forest resources and fishing from the reservoirs of Peringalkuthu and Sholayar dams were their main sources of income. They can sell products through Vanasree outlets at Vazhachal and Athirappilly, people here often rely on barter system to get their day-to-day essentials. Tribal people can buy household items from a shop near their settlement by giving products like honey from the forest.
“We have to travel 40-50 km to Chalakudy or Pariyaram to get the service of a bank or ATM. A government hospital is still a distant dream for the people in this region, let alone other government services. Though the Forest Department recently started helping people to get bank accounts, hardly a handful of them have seen the interior of a bank or an ATM,” said Geetha. N Rajesh, DFO Vazhchal, said the department has issued community forest rights to nine colonies under the Forest Right Act 2006. The Department has also initiated welfare activities for inmates in the colonies to promote their social and economical standards.