Development, a far cry in tribal villages

BARIPADA: Even as the government claims to have implemented several projects to eradicate socio-economic problems, such projects are a non-starter in two tribal villages of Mayurbhanj district. Khirochipal and Mankadabandha villages under Thakurmunda block near Similipal foothill in the district stand testimony to the failure of officials concerned in proper implementation of numerous schemes and projects meant for the forest-dwellers.The villages are located about 120 km from the district headquarters town of Baripada. They are deprived of almost all basic amenities and facilities which have been promised by the government. As per official reports, at least 150 tribal families live a difficult life in the two villages. While they are deprived of healthcare facilities, education, electricity, drinking water supply is a  dream for them. The villages even lack all-weather roads.  “We do not even get the minimum benefits of the government schemes. The callous field-level officials are to be blamed for the sorry state of affairs in the villages,” said a senior citizen, Bhagabata Naik. The socio-economic condition of the villagers is no better with government imposing heavy royalty on the collection of minor forest produce like Sal leaf which is their only source of livelihood. With no  alternative, many village youths are migrating in search of work. The employment guarantee scheme MGNREGS is limited to just pen and paper here.  “Women of the villages have to walk down more than 2.5 km to reach Champajhar river to fetch water. Drinking water and road  are the most pressing matters for the villages,” said Baidyanath Singh, a social activist. Similarly, poor road connectivity forces villagers to carry the patients in rope beds to Thakurmunda hospital which is nearly 15 km from the two villages.BDO Narayan Nayak admitted to have received petitions about the problems in the villages. “Construction of a road leading to the villages could not materialise as the stretch had to pass through the reserve area of Similipal forest. We have proposed an alternative road to the villagers. Road construction will start shortly,” he added.