Malkangiri: As the state government is focused on development of Malkangiri district, the district administration has intensified its efforts to push rapid development in 30 villages located in Bonda Ghati.
Bonda Ghati, the habitation of primitive Bonda tribals, has often been in the news for their sufferings and miserable condition.
Taking note of the reports, the administration has given serious thoughts for the development of the Bonda Ghati. The administration is active in resolving the problems of the tribals.
Officials have been making frequent visits to the Bonda Ghati these days to take stock of the problems faced by these tribals. The rights of Bonda tribals on the forest land have been a major issue.
The administration is now working to approve rights of the Bonda tribals on their dwelling places in forested areas under Forest Rights Act-2006. As of now, the Bonda tribals are deprived of their forest rights under the Act.
Over the decades, the members of the tribe have been leading a miserable life undertaking shifting cultivation for a livelihood. They have no right on the forest land where they have been living.
Recently, the district administration organised a workshop for Bonda tribals at Khairput block office to create awareness on how they will be given rights on their forest land.
Officer in-charge of Bonda Development Agency (BDA) and Khairput BDO Hrudananda Sahu presided over the meeting.
Trainer of SC/ST Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Pabitra Mohan Das, assistant researcher Ajay Muduli and social awareness officer of BDA Santosh Kumar Rout took part in the workshop.
Representatives of Bonda tribals from 30 villages were present in the workshop. At the workshop, trainers imparted knowledge to Bonda leaders about how they could claim their rights on the forest land they have been living on or doing cultivation prior to 2006.
They were told about formation of village committees with posts of president, secretary and members (male and female).
Thereafter, a list of tribal dwellers will be prepared with documentation of detailed data about their location, names of forests where they are doing cultivation, the period for which they have been cultivating the land, land holdings and caste certificates.
Minutes of the meetings of the village committees will be prepared with all details of the tribals. The village committees will submit the related details to Forest and Revenue officials in their respective areas.
The officials of both the departments will make field visits to the villages to verify claims related to the homeland and farmland. They will submit report to the sub-collector.
Thereafter, they can individually apply for rights on their dwelling places and farmlands, while the community as a whole will apply for rights on land for community use such as schools, playgrounds, pastureland, Anganwadi centres and health centres.
People of other Scheduled Tribes will have to show proof about their dwelling for 75 years. The claims will be investigated and their rights on forest land will be granted thereafter, it was stated.
A couple of days ago, Collector Vishal Singh made a surprise visit to Bonda Ghati and reviewed the progress of various developmental works. Singh inspected a high school for Scheduled Tribes at Mudulipada panchayat.
He also took stock of the staff strength, existing infrastructure and functioning of the office of the Bonda Development Agency. He also reviewed utilisation of funds by the BDA.
Singh interacted with local residents to understand their problems.
He directed the officials of various departments to ensure that Bonda tribals do not face problems in any sector – education, road connectivity, livelihood creation, drinking water and electricity.
PNN