Paliyar tribes promised houses to relocate from hills, forced to live in huts for 15 years

During the rainy season, we are forced to take refuge in relatives' houses. The elderly and children suffer the most," said T Rajan, a resident.
Elderly tribal man set up kitchen near his hut at in the Vasudevanallur Thalaiyanai area.
Elderly tribal man set up kitchen near his hut at in the Vasudevanallur Thalaiyanai area. (Photo | Express)
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TIRUNELVELI: As many as 13 Paliyar tribal families, who have been living in huts for the past 15 years in Thalaiyanai near Vasudevanallur, demanded that the state government should construct houses for them, on the land allotted to them. "About 36 tribal families were relocated from the Western Ghats to Thalaiyanai in 2010-11 with the promise of houses. However, the government did not keep its promise," said the residents.

According to them, the government constructed single-room shelters (halls) for only 15 relocated families. "Since our huts are located close to the forest, we frequently experience reptile bites. During the rainy season, we are forced to take refuge in relatives' houses. The elderly and children suffer the most," said T Rajan, a resident.

"While some of us have set up huts on government-allotted land, many others are living on private land. The landowner is now asking us to remove the huts," said K Arulraj. E Paul Dinakaran, another resident, said officials cite a shortage of funds for constructing houses for hut dwellers.

The state government relocated about 120 tribals belonging to 36 families, who had lived in the Western Ghats for generations, to Thalaiyanai in 2010-11, promising houses and basic amenities. However, residents allege that the government has failed to deliver on its promises. Activist T Suresh, who works for tribal welfare, said his repeated petitions to officials and the Chief Minister's Special Cell demanding houses failed to yield any result.

"Officials claim to have built houses for 15 families, but these are just single-room shelters. Each was constructed at a cost of Rs 55,000 about 15 years ago. These single rooms serve as bedrooms, kitchens, and dressing areas. For instance, in the cramped shelter allotted to one Nesamani Salamon, 11 people, including her, her husband, daughter, two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four children, live together," he said.

Suresh further urged the government to replace the single-room shelters with proper houses under the state or union government's housing scheme, besides providing houses for the remaining 13 families. "The forest department had put in great effort to relocate these tribes from the forest, where they had lived for centuries. However, it has failed to ensure their proper resettlement," he alleged.

Waiting for proposals to be approved

When contacted, District Collector A K Kamal Kishore told TNIE, "These 15 houses were in a dilapidated condition, and we have recently repaired them. Last year, 13 tribals were given patta. Proposals have been sent to the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Directorate for constructing houses for them. I have been informed that the proposal is in the advanced stage. Once approved, we will construct the houses at the earliest." District Forest Officer (Tirunelveli) Akhil Thambi said he would look into the issue.

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