Latest news with #ParticularlyVulnerableTribal
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Prakasam collector visits Veligonda rehabilitation colony
Markapur: Prakasam district collector A Thameem Ansariya visited the Idupuru-1 Housing Colony, a rehabilitation colony for the ousters of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda Project, and interacted with the beneficiaries on Wednesday. She directed the housing and municipal officials to expedite the completion of houses currently under construction. During her tour, the collector reviewed the progress of ongoing house construction work. Housing Project Director Srinivas Prasad briefed the collector on the current status of the housing project, revealing that while 2,310 houses have been sanctioned in the Idupuru-1 housing layout, only 154 houses have been completed so far. The remaining construction work is at various stages, with 37 houses at roof level, 430 houses at roof casting stage, and 519 houses at plinth level. Speaking during the inspection, the collector emphasised the need to create awareness among housing beneficiaries about the state government's additional financial assistance. She explained that beyond the standard unit value of Rs 1.80 lakh for house completion, the government is providing supplementary financial support of Rs 50,000 for SC and BC community house construction, Rs 75,000 for ST community construction, and Rs 1 lakh for PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) beneficiaries. Ansariya instructed the housing and municipal department officials to leverage this information to motivate beneficiaries and accelerate the completion of house construction. She specifically directed attention to houses at roof level and roof casting stages, emphasising the need for immediate action to complete these structures. To ensure systematic progress, the collector ordered officials to establish daily targets for stage conversion and implement measures to accelerate the pace of house construction across all ongoing projects. Markapur sub-collector Sahadit Venkata Trivinag, Housing PD Srinivas Prasad, Markapur Municipal Commissioner Narayana, tahsildar Chiranjeevi, and other officials accompanied the district collector during the site visit.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
125 Malkangiri villages to be brought under PM-JANMAN
Koraput: In a major stride toward inclusive and equitable growth, 125 villages across five tribal-dominated blocks in Malkangiri district have been brought under the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative aims to transform the lives of around 23,000 individuals, many belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) such as the Bonda and Didayi communities. Officials confirmed that the scheme will be executed through a coordinated effort involving eight govt departments, targeting over 5,000 households across the blocks of Khairaput, Chitrakonda, Mathili, Korukonda, and Malkangiri. So far, 1,665 beneficiaries have been selected for housing under PM-JANMAN, and over 160 houses have already been completed, said collector (Malkangiri) Asish Iswar Patil. To address basic infrastructure gaps, mega drinking water projects are underway in 124 villages, with 10 systems operational. Simultaneously, the rural development department is spearheading construction of roads across five blocks. The department concerned has been asked to identify gaps where anganwadi centres are required, and we expect to complete their construction by year-end, the collector added. Healthcare access is also being prioritized, with seven mobile health units providing doorstep medical services across the region. The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) will construct 10 hostels for students from remote areas to ensure continued access to education. Officials said efforts are underway to enhance connectivity with mobile network services to be extended to 16 unconnected villages, of which three have already received coverage. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the agriculture sector, 6,326 farmers are set to receive free fertilizers and seeds, while five Van Dhan Vikas Kendras will be established as community resource hubs to boost local livelihoods. There are also plans to set up two new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) focusing on skill development programmes tailored for youth from the Bonda and Didayi tribes, Patil said. To strengthen the social fabric, three large community halls will be built to host cultural and social gatherings, reinforcing the holistic vision of the programme. The implementation of PM-JANMAN is a transformative initiative aimed at delivering justice, development, and integration for tribal communities, while preserving their unique cultural identity, the collector said.
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
What's the use of Cabinet post, if I can't help Adivasis: Minister Danasari Anasuya
HYDERABAD: Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya has expressed serious concern over Forest Conservation Acts being used as a tool to hinder providing basic amenities even in the Schedule V areas where the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) live. She wondered as to what is the point of holding the post of Cabinet minister when she cannot even ensure access to basic healthcare and education in Adivasi areas. The minister was speaking at the inaugural of a regional workshop on Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) scheme organised by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and hosted by Telangana government here on Friday.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gumla sets benchmark in PVTG development with multi-pronged strategy
Gumla: For the first time since Independence, members of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) living in the challenging terrain of Netarhat plateau in Gumla district are experiencing comprehensive development. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This includes basic amenities like 'sadak, bijli pani', economic advancement, healthcare facilities and social security through a coordinated approach. Bimal Asur, who leads the Adimjanjati Yuva Sangh Jagriti Abhiyan in Polpolpat Asur settlement, said, "Many types of development projects are either being implemented or underway in almost of our habitations for the first time after the Independence—road, light, drinking water, agriculture growth and so many others." Residents Gulab Asur and Samir Asur from Sakhuwapani added, "So many people are these days busy building houses of govt schemes. Women are taking water at home and our area of glowing with solar light." Gumla deputy commissioner Karn Satyarthi said that over the past two years, the district has implemented several significant initiatives aimed at uplifting its particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), including the Asur, Birhor, Birjia, Parhaiya, and Korwa communities. "Gumla has undertaken extensive infrastructure projects under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), with a focus on road connectivity and housing. A total of 23 road projects have been sanctioned, covering approximately 76.75 km in remote PVTG hamlets. Additionally, more than 1600 houses have been approved under the housing scheme, targeting areas such as Dumri, Bishunpur, Chainpur, and Ghaghra. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aurapath village has been identified as a model village under PM-JANMAN, with completed houses and a 100% solar-powered water supply system," he cited. He added that the district has emerged as a pioneer in solar electrification, with the installation of 700 solar-powered street lights across PVTG settlements. "Additionally, the district has achieved complete solar water supply coverage in Aurapath and other PVTG-dominated villages. High mast solar lights have also been sanctioned to ensure safety and connectivity after dusk. Plans are underway to extend solar power to additional PVTG habitations by 2025. More than 119 habitations have been connected with solar powered water schemes." Gumla became the first district in Jharkhand to saturate Ayushman Bharat and conduct comprehensive sickle cell anaemia screening for all PVTG residents. "Six mobile medical units are operational across Dumri, Chainpur, and Bishunpur, providing essential diagnostic services. The district administration has also established weekly medical camps in remote PVTG villages, ensuring access to basic healthcare services," he said. The district has also begun a focused malnutrition reduction programme and distributed nutrition kits to PVTG households. He said, "We have also successfully linked all eligible PVTG households with Jan Dhan accounts, MNREGA job cards, and PM-KISAN schemes." The administration has launched first ever dedicated PVTG helpline for addressing issues related to food security, housing, and healthcare, serving both as a grievance redressal system and proactive feedback mechanism. The administration has introduced potato chips farming and processing in select PVTG clusters to enhance livelihood opportunities. A potato chips manufacturing unit branded as Krisp has been established at Jehan Gutwa settlement. VDVKs (Van Dhan Vikas Kendras) in Dumri and Bishunpur block facilitate market connections for PVTG farmers cultivating millet. "The 'Gift of Education' programme has significantly improved Class X results among PVTG students while vocational education centres have been established in Dumri and Aurapat settlement to equip PVTG youth with skills in carpentry, masonry, and tailoring," Satyarthi said.
The Print
11-05-2025
- General
- The Print
Green energy or survival? Rajasthan's forest-dependent communities at a crossroad
The meeting at the temple, attended by around 30 people, has been called to oppose the 1,800-megawatt hydro project being built by Greenko Energies Private Limited. While only three villages — Kaloni, Mungawali and Baint — are officially listed for land acquisition, the project's shadow looms much larger, affecting at least seven nearby villages, home to hundreds of forest-dependent tribal and Dalit families. The forest, vital to the lives of tribal families like his, is now under threat as 408 hectares of it are proposed to be diverted for a massive pumped-storage project. Baran (Rajasthan), May 11 (PTI) Ravi Sahariya, 26, sits silently among a group of villagers at a small temple in Moondiyar, a village bordering the ecologically-rich Shahbad forest in Rajasthan's Baran district. The project entails two large reservoirs covering a total of 624 hectares. Water will be lifted from the Kuno river, near Mungawali village. Though it promises clean energy, locals fear it could destroy their way of life. Moondiyar has about 2,500 residents, including around 400 Sahariyas, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) characterised by extreme poverty and a low level of literacy. For generations, families like Ravi's have survived by collecting forest produce like mahua and amla and grazing cattle in the Shahbad forest. 'I earn about Rs 50,000 a year,' Ravi says. 'Of that, Rs 40,000 come from selling forest produce. The rest comes from harvesting chickpea during the season. We spend Rs 15,000 alone on our children's school fees.' Until recently, his family of seven lived in a mud hut. Now, they have a small two-room house built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Their only electronic possession is a mobile phone. 'If the jungle goes, we go,' Ravi says. 'I will have to go to the city to find daily-wage work.' Dalits and Sahariyas make up nearly half of Moondiyar's population. Most survive on forest produce — mahua, tendu patta, chironji, khair, gond etc. Losing the forest means losing food, income and identity. Ravi owns five bighas of land next to the forest. 'My land is now surrounded by plots bought by brokers. We used to grow enough wheat just for the family. Now, I have no access. No one will let me pass through. I will be forced to sell,' he says. The company claims that no land is being acquired from Moondiyar. But villagers say brokers, sensing an opportunity, are buying tribal land cheaply to sell at higher prices later. 'Non-tribal agents bought land from tribals in distress,' says Jitendra, 28, from the nearby Kaloni village. Legally, this is problematic. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013 requires the government to act as an intermediary. Companies cannot buy land directly. Also, the Rajasthan Tenancy Act bars the sale of tribal land to non-tribals without the district collector's prior approval. Baran Collector Rohitashva Singh Tomar says he has not received any land-acquisition proposal from the company or granted permission for any tribal land transfer. Greenko's forest-diversion application to the Union environment ministry claims that forest rights have been settled in the affected villages — a prerequisite for using forest land. But villagers are unaware of this. 'I do not know, sir,' Ravi said, when asked if his forest rights have been officially recognised. The collector said forest rights recognition is a 'dynamic process' and he would check whether any claims from the affected villages are still pending. Loss of forest also threatens to worsen malnutrition, already rampant among Sahariya children. According to a PTI report from September last year, more than 170 malnourished children were found in Baran's Shahbad-Kishanganj area. Many belonged to villages like Moondiyar and Kaloni. 'No forest means no income. No income means no food. Malnutrition will rise. People will be forced to migrate,' warns Laxman Singh Mehta, a farmer from Kaloni. Researcher Bhargavi S Rao drew parallels with the Pavagada solar park in Karnataka. 'People lost land and left for cities to become construction workers. Women, children, the elderly were left behind. With no forest and no support, nutritional security worsens. Maternal mortality, infant deaths increase. It is a public health issue no one talks about,' she said. This is the dark side of the clean-energy push, she added. 'We are pushing people off the land that feeds them, without giving them new skills or supports,' Rao said. India's renewable-energy ambitions are massive. The country aims for 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030. Rajasthan, with the highest RE potential, plans to add 90 GW by then. But this rush could lead to conflicts. A 2023 report prepared by Land Conflict Watch found 31 land conflicts linked to renewable-energy projects across 10 states, affecting nearly 44,000 people. Rajasthan alone had eight such cases. In Shahbad, the forest is not just land, it is life. It shields the villages from Rajasthan's punishing heat, nourishes groundwater and provides food, shade and grazing land for both people and wildlife. Brijesh Kumar, a gram panchayat member from Kaloni, said without this jungle, Shahbad will turn into another Jaisalmer. 'It keeps us alive. If it goes, so do we,' he said. Greenko plans to cut 1.19 lakh trees, some of which are more than 100 years old, for the project. It has received the environment ministry's Stage-1 clearance and is waiting for the final approval. Villagers claim that trees are already being cut, even without full permission. This correspondent saw several uprooted trees at the site. It was not clear who was responsible. Water conservationist Rajendra Singh visited the site and according to his estimate, the number of trees felled is much higher. 'It is not 1.19 lakh, it is four times more,' he said. Greenko denies this. A company representative claimed that no trees have been cut yet and said only a minimum number of trees will be removed after the final forest clearance. Forest Officer Rajendra Prasad Meghwal said his department has not received any complaint but will investigate if one is filed. The Shahbad forest is also home to many endangered species listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, including leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, vultures, wolves, jackals, porcupines and pythons. Locals say they have even seen a cheetah that possibly strayed from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, just 48 kilometres away. Social activist Jitendra Sharma, part of the Save Shahbad Forest campaign, warns of rising human-animal conflict. 'Break the forest and you break the balance,' he says. Even the Environmental Impact Assessment report says the project will fragment the landscape, disturb biodiversity and likely increase conflict between animals and humans. Yet, not everyone is against it. Bhup Singh, 45, whose land falls within the project area, says, 'We need jobs. Our forest is already degraded. Trees were cut, no one cared. Maybe the project will help our children survive.' Others are not so sure. Manak Chand, 65, from Moondiyar says, 'Another company promised jobs earlier. No one from our village got hired. They brought outsiders.' Along the banks of the Kuno river, Neeraj Kashyap grazes his 125 goats. The forest feeds them. 'If it goes, what will our children eat?' he asks. 'We have only our animals. If the company cuts the jungle and does not help us, we will starve.' The forest has long protected Shahbad. Now, villagers wonder who will protect the forest. PTI GVS RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. 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