The Struggle for Rehabilitation: A Closer Look at the Tribals of Veerankudi Colony in Malakappara

2023-11-27 12:53:51

One of the mud houses in Malakappara Veeran Kudi tribal colony. Ashin Paul

Kamalamma has her own Aadhaar card. But till now welfare pension has not been received. Kamalamma also says that it is very difficult to get rid of all this damage.

You are the moon

Just before leaving Veerankudi, he reached the home yard of Kamalamma, the oldest person in the colony. Kamalammapati said from the front of her house, which was covered with an old saree, that she might not afford to buy even a single cup of tea powder. Kamalamma has her own Aadhaar card. But till now welfare pension has not been received. Kamalamma also says that it is very difficult to get rid of all this damage.

Kamalamma Patti is the oldest member of Malakappari Veerankudi Colony.

The present land has been given to the people of Veerankudi Colony in the Idamalayar range under the Forest Rights Act. Now, if they want to find another land and relocate them from here, it will be possible only if the Central Forest Department converts their current land into a reserve forest.

History of Rehabilitation in Kerala

The present land has been given to the people of Veerankudi Colony in the Idamalayar range under the Forest Rights Act. Now, if they want to find another land and relocate them from here, it will be possible only if the Central Forest Department converts their current land into a reserve forest.

Advocate Viju Vazhakala, former Vice President of Chalakudy Block Panchayat, says that such procedures have happened in Kerala before. The state government can take a decision in this regard through a cabinet meeting. Viju said that there is no way without relocating those in Veerankudi.

Land is distributed to Scheduled Tribes under the Land Bank Scheme, Reserved Forest Land Distribution and Forest Rights Act. According to the Financial Review Report 2021-22, 6.17 acres of land has been distributed to 53 beneficiaries in Wayanad district under the Land Bank Scheme. 406.66 acres of land has also been distributed to 362 people under the Forest Rights Act.

32 tribal families belonging to the Malampandaram group, who were living in Laha – Manjathot, Chalakayam, Plantoth, Attathoth – Nilakkal, Plapalli etc., which includes the Sabarimala forest in the Ranni Forest Division, had moved to the Rajampara Forest Station four years ago. Later in 2022, in the first phase, 20 of these families were given one acre of land each under the Forest Rights Act.

The people of Olakara Tribal Colony in Thrissur district have a completely different experience from this. Efforts to resettle the residents in the colony are also half-way through. A survey was conducted related to granting of pattayam to tribals. However, the survey was terminated due to technical difficulties in carrying out the survey of the land beyond 2.54 hectares. Survey can be done only on owned land. The forest department says that the reason for the problem is that the settlers demanded more land. The land problem is still ongoing in Olakara.

Consultation meetings are being held regarding the resettlement of those in Veerankudi. Proceedings have not been initiated. Resettlement takes time as you have to find and resettle somewhere else.

Adv. Athira Devarajan, Athirapally Panchayat President

MLA Saneesh Kumar has intervened to implement the rehabilitation of those in Veerankudi as soon as possible. It is hoped that action will be taken soon.

Jayarajan, Congress leader

Veerankudi residents also need the opportunity to continue their studies from their own homes. Colony children should have the same rights as other children. The socio-educational environment of the tribal people will improve only if resettlement is made possible in a more secure plain land.

Sajeev Pallath, BJP Korati Mandal President

An endless path of misery

At the end of a long day’s journey, when we were climbing back to Malakappara from Veerankudi and Arekap, the people of Veerankudi and Arekap were hurrying down the forest in a hurry to reach home… The thought of how long and how many times this miserable path will end was flooding the forest along with their despairing looks….

(ended)

1701104336
#Refugee #life #Malakappara #Adivas #Series