Date : 08-08-2016
Madieri: Tribals who landed in forests across Kodagu 78-years-ago contributed immensely to afforestation are now living on the razor’s edge with their hopes diminishing like fading light. Government expenditure in crores of rupees towards development has not touched these few people constantly living in fear and hunger.
Bunglows and Villas present a rosy picture of development when one drives down in a swanky car on one side while shacks likely to get blown away by strong gales provide little cover for people who have nothing to hide on the other side. The prevailing conditions are heart rending as they face all adverse conditions with a smile to see the distant tomorrow at dusk.
The benefits due to them are being taken away by powerful hands even before they realize driving them to despair. Lack of basic amenities deprives them of their rights as many schemes fail to throw light on their eroding lives.
The hutments (Hadis’) at Thattahalli, Diddalli, Chottepare, Basavanahalli, Chikkareshme, Nanchihadi, Nagarhole, Kumarakatte, Thattekere, Paladahalla, Komlagere, Adagundi, Kondagihadi, Daidahallu, Avaregundha, Dubare, Hanninathota, Gate hadi and Aasthana are the few known which face the brunt of suffering .
Deprived of shelter, Potable water, footwear, and food, these tribespeople face danger from wild elephant attacks, increasing their woes. Leave alone electricity and education which are like oasis in a desert, it’s burning fire wood for light and cooking provides them little warmth when they tremble.
The government which plans to make the state free of hutments, free of open defecation has no answer when it comes to giving them the basic voting and property rights. The government introduced a bill in 2006 to herald in a new era for their livelihood and termed the bill as right to dwell inside forest for scheduled tribes and other traditional tribes. Ten years have elapsed but a place to dwell remains at a distance and all the tribes people living in hutments across Kodagu provide sufficient proof for all to see.
The temporary structure on a tree built to escape from wild elephant attack, bridges made of bamboo logs to cross small streams, ponds dug to fetch muddy drinking water might remain as only reminiscences of teary-eyed tribespeople living to survive !
