SEARCH FOR METHODS

This search is on since last 30 years - what is the meaning of true development for the tribals? Is the Tribal Development and Tribal Area development are synonymous? Who defines the development? In this process, what are the roles of the communities, the Panchayats, the Civil Societies and the State?   Perhaps more than the conflicts, there are far greater areas of collaboration among these actors.

The other day, I went to a village Silapas in Kodipari GP of Kashipur Block in Rayagada Dist., Odisha State  where children have died in an epidemic of Measles. The villages is located among the rolling hills and in absence of a pucca road, it remains cut off most of the time of the year. Silapas is nearly 25kms from the Block Headquarters and 10kms from the Panchayat Headquarters. This has resulted in non-delivery of basic services  related to education,health, nutrition, drinking water, employment and , above all, livelihood. The surrounding hills are quite denuded due to heavy practice of shifting cultivation. Some cashew plantations have come up in the hill-slopes indicating the interest people have in protecting such plantations. No wonder, cashew plantations are now most profitable to the tribals these days despite having wide-spread exploitation of the middlemen. The other day, one expert was telling me that cashew from Koraput area is fetching good price in comparison to the cashew from coastal plains. The reasons are many: 1) It is organic by default, 2) It has less salt content adding to the taste, c) better self-life. All these cashew nuts are exported to Nagpur for further processing and marketing. But why Silapas looks so much Poverty-stricken and deprived? The Jhodia communities in the village have been derecognised as tribals in 90s due to the evil designs of the state and corporate to acquire their land. Great injustice has been committed against the Jhodia leading to a lot of unrest and resentment. As the Jhodias have lost their status, this village Silapas has not enough voice if the school teacher is not coming or the ANM is not immunising. Life has been going on there without the support of the State. The bauxite mining in near by Baphlimalai will invite further disaster to them. This is the lurking fear felt very intensely.

This year's death of children on account of measles has added to the new dimension to Kashipur's lomg history of mortality and morbidity. Kashipur has got a place in the hunger atlas. It has a prominent place in the epidemiological map where cholera has been occurring year after year. The current  industrialisation is bringing more hardship and pollution to the area. It is matter of time that villages like Silapas will be wiped out from the history and geography.

Hence, it is a great challenge for the community surviving on the edge; the Panchayats which have a say in the development planning; the State which has a responsibility towards its one citizens and civil society which takes side with the communities.   There are many possibilities for effective collaboration so that all the entitlements are ensures in Silapas village. All children go to school and are immunised. Under MGNREGS, the communities go for for land development and plantation in the hill-slopes. The National Horticulture Mission gives inputs for development of horticulture. The rain-fed agriculture will ensure food security by growing millets, pulses, oil-seeds and vegetables. The soil fertility is enhanced by suitable agronomical practices. The NGO/CSO helps the communities to develop self-managed institutions and ensures right kind of training and capacity building. But who will initiate this thing? The communities must assert themselves and express themselves by set of demands. The supply will automatically follow from the top if the administration is sensitive and responsive. I am sure Silapas will show the way by changing the pattern of mortality and morbidity.