KOCHI: Rising human-wildlife conflicts forced residents of Kuttampuzha forest to abandon their traditional land holdings and migrate to the edge of the woods. But, government apathy in allocating land is forcing them to live as refugees in their own land.
Around 80 families of Variyam and Uriyampetti that migrated to the forest fringes of Panthapra, Kuttampuzha panchayat, in March 2023 have been staying in thatched huts made of bamboo reeds and tarpaulin sheets for the past one year.
The families expressed their willingness to surrender their land holdings inside the forest if the forest department would allocates two acres each in Panthapra.
Though 523 acres have been demarcated for the rehabilitation of tribals, the department is refusing to distribute the land. According to the department, land can be allocated only if all residents of the colony surrender their holdings.
“Politicians visit the settlements and shower promises during election time. But they forget the promises once the election is over,” said community members.
The 523 acres that have been identified are part of a teak plantation, and even if the land is allocated, the beneficiaries will not be able to cultivate the land as the department has placed restrictions on the felling of trees.
Moreover, there are limitations to irrigating the hilly terrain.
“We were forced to leave the forest as wild animals were destroying crops. Wild elephants and gaurs are roaming the farmlands and many people have died in wild animal attacks in the recent years,” said Suresh, who shifted from Variyam colony.
“After reaching Panthapra, we are surviving on 30kg of rice distributed through ration shops. We live in thatched huts and there is no basic amenity, including electricity. Though a pipeline was laid recently water is distributed only once every two days. The district administration has built a few toilets which is the only luxury we have.”
Muthu Sivan, of Uriyampetty, his colony was located 16km from Kuttampuzha and it takes four hours for a jeep to reach the settlement, having to traverse rugged terrain. “Shifting a sick person to hospital is the most challenging task. We have to pay Rs 4,500 to hire a jeep to reach the colony. It is impossible to travel during night hours due to the presence of wild animals. If the jeep breaks down midway, we will be trapped in the midst of the forest with no mobile connectivity,” he highlighted.
Kuttampuzha panchayat vice president Mary Kuriakose said the local body has been fighting for the allocation of land for displaced tribal families. “Their children have been moved to hostels in Pinavoorkudi, Neriamangalam, Idukki and Ettumanoor. Some of them are as young as five years of age. If these families are allocated land at Panthapra, the children will be able to live with their parents and attend schools in Kuttampuzha,” she said.
Notably, 57 of the 67 houses allocated for families assigned land at Panthapra have not been completed as cooperative societies that were carrying out the construction, under the Gothra Jeevika scheme, abandoned the work during the pandemic. Ten families paid for the work from their own pockets and have shifted to the new houses.
“The applications for allocation of land for 19 families from Mappilapara and Meenkulam colones have been approved by the sub-divisional committee. They are now pending with the district-level committee, headed by the collector. They were allocated the land as the entire colony had vacated their holdings in the forest,” said Ernakulam tribal welfare officer Anil Bhaskar.
“The department said the applications of the remaining 61 families could not be approved as a section of the tribals from Variyam and Uriyampetti were not willing to shift to Panthapra. They will have to return to the colony.”
Anil added that the government had allocated an additional Rs 52,000 each to build 57 houses. The department is contemplating legal action against the two cooperatives that abandoned the work after receiving funds. “Of the five cooperatives engaged in construction of the houses, three utilised the funds properly. They will be engaged to complete the project,” he said.