11 years of Malin: 23 villages under threat of landslide, rehabilitation of six completed

Indian Express

13 hours ago

Every year on July 29, Budhaji Damse, founder of the Shashwat Trust visits the erstwhile Malin village in Ambegaon taluka to pay respects to the over 100 people who had died in the landslide that had erased the village 11 years ago. However, Damse has other worries —just 4 km from Malin is the hamlet of Pasarwad, whose residents literally live under the Sword of Damocles. 'Post Malin, Pasarwadi was one of the 23 villages that was meant to be rehabilitated due to the possibility of landslides in the area. While the land for rehabilitation has been identified, Pasarwadi is yet to be rehabilitated. I have relatives living there as well as workers of our Trust,' he said.
Pasarwadi is not alone after Malin the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had surveyed the district to identify landslide prone villages in the district. Twenty three villages spread across Ambegaon, Khed, Velhe, Maval, Bhor and Junnar taluka were identified as landslide prone with the GSI suggesting their rehabilitation. Damse — whose trust has been working with tribal farmers across Ambegaon, Junnar and Khed taluka — said only the village of Megholi in the taluka has been rehabilitated at a different place 'For Parawadi, the land has been identified but the physical rehabilitation is yet to happen. This year the rainfall has been within range so far, so there has been no problem for these villages,' he said.
Located across the ranges of the Western Ghats, all the 23 villages are located at an elevation. Given the typography of these areas, the villages have been identified as landslide prone. District Collector Jitendra Dudi told The Indian Express that of the rehabilitations of 23 villages, six have been completed. 'Five of these villages are located in Ambegaon taluka of Pune district,' he said.
Dudi said the district had received Rs 3.65 crore for rehabilitation. 'Another survey was done when it was revealed that two of the villages identified were not in the landslide prone area so they were taken off the list,' he said. The other villages, he said, have demanded for permanent rehabilitation, but work is yet to be completed. 'Work on preparing the plan for the rehabilitation is in its final stages,' he said.
Malin was wiped out from the face of the earth on June 29, 2014, when a portion of the hill overlooking the small tribal village slid over it. Over 100 people had died, which included women and children, many of whom were either sleeping or preparing to get ready. The District Collectorate had rehabilitated survivors at a separate area and the rehabilitation was termed ideal. Damse said many of the survivors have now taken up non-farming activities as their livelihood. 'Over all things, the process has been good. People have no complaints so far,' he said.