Post News Network
Keonjhar, Dec 15: With no discernible change in the quality of life of tribals in mineral-rich Keonjhar district despite crores of rupees being pumped in for their development, most of the natives are now resorting to collecting firewood from forests to eke out a living. However, the practice is playing havoc on forests, which are depleting at a rapid pace.
Tribal women and even children can be seen carrying bundles of firewood on their heads making their way to the Keonjhar local market, but neither the district administration nor the forest department is concerned about the impact that such activities might have.
Environmental activists are of the opinion that the government should pay more attention to this issue and should come up with a alternate livelihood solution for the tribals or put in place an income generating method for them so that they would refrain from cutting down trees.
The mineral-rich district has already lost vast tracts of forest land and is witnessing the remaining forests deplete at an astonishing rate to mining activities and other infrastructure development activities such as development of roads and construction of dams.
The Forest Protection Act prohibits tree felling but wood is being used in a large-scale for buildings and bodies of heavy vehicles. Sadly, the forest department is not reining in such activities requiring wood.
In the past, conscious citizens and social activists working for the environment had several times drawn the attention of the district collector and forest officials, but no concrete step has been taken as yet to stop such activities, it is learnt.
“Over a hundred bundles of firewood are being sold in the local market on a daily basis. They are bound to cut trees for livelihood in the absence of adequate work or income-generating opportunities. This points to the fact that the administration is not properly implementing a host of schemes and projects meant for tribal development. MGNREGS, supposed to provide them earning opportunities, has failed to reach them,” Dhiren Rout, president of Pragatishila Nagarika Manch, said.
Several schemes like a poverty alleviation programme, Livelihood Missopn, MGNREGA and Food Security Act are failing to do enough for these tribals, Rout said.
Rout lamented, “All such programmes are only limited to pen and paper while poor tribals fail to draw their benefits.”
“It is a tough task to cut and carry firewood. If you do a day’s work, you will take rest for two days. If we get good work in the village, we will give up this practice,” said Gurubari Juanga, a tribal woman.
“We have no option but to do this difficult work in order to earn a living,” Minati Nayak, another tribal, added.
Tribal reasearcher Bimbadhar Bedhera said, “Whatever little money the tribals earn through cutting firewood is very meagre, barely enough to meet their food expenses, let alone their medical bills. They should be provided an alternate source of income while the administration should ensure proper implementation of all programmes meant for them, rather than taking action against them.”
Santosh Kumar Nayak, project administrator of ITDA, however, asserted that emphasis is being given on tribal development.
