Kaptipada: The Mankidia tribals have an umbilical link with forests and hilly terrains in various parts of Mayurbhanj district, but now they feel that they are being alienated from their natural lifestyle, thanks to restrictions imposed by the government on their entry into forests and use of minor forest produce.
They regret that they have to work as daily wagers to make both ends meet. There are reports that NGOs have initiated efforts to facilitate habitat rights for the tribals so that they can be entitled to free movement and collection of forest produce. But such efforts may not bear fruits when Mankidia tribals are being vacated from the core area of the Similipal sanctuary, it was learnt.
The administrations in various districts across the country have undertaken programmes to grant traditional rights to primitive tribes.
According to official sources, people from three tribes—Mankidia, Khadia and Lodha – reside in various parts of this district. As many as 255 Mankidia families live in nine villages. Of them, 164 families reside in five villages under Kaptipada sub-division.
Meanwhile, the revenue and forest departments have conducted a joint survey in each Mankidia-dominated village and consulted the residents and village heads by organising gram sabhas with regards to granting habitat rights to the tribals.
The survey report has been approved by the sub-divisional land committees before being forwarded to the district land committee (DLC).
Though many NGOs have initiated efforts in this direction, the forest department says that the issue has some legal implications.
The NGOs have been strongly pitching for granting their traditional rights like collection of siali creepers, firewood, household wood, mushrooms, honey, resin and other minor forest produce to Mankidias.
Voluntary organisations demanded that Mankidia tribals be granted free movement in vast forest areas comprising Barhakamuda, Bhajabasa, Meghasan, Chidia Chaturi and Ghagara. But these places come under the core area of Similipal sanctuary.
At present, the tribal habitations in the core area are being vacated and the tribals are being rehabilitated elsewhere to pave way for the national park status to Similipal.
Officials of the forest department feel that relocation of tribals from the core area is part efforts being initiated for conservation of tigers.
However, a forest official, requesting anonymity, observed that tiger conservation efforts will be affected if Mankidia tribals are granted habitat rights.
The problems of the tribals should be sorted out on priority basis while they should be rehabilitated so that they can be brought to the social mainstream, he added. PNN