70 families living in darkness in Kodagu camp

WHILE tribal people are allowed to cultivate land under the Forest Rights Act, getting basic amenities has remained a challenging task for them. Thatalli tribal settlement at Maldare near Siddapura in Kodagu is a testimony to this.

- PRAJNA GR

For, the tribal people living in this settlement are yet to get electricity, toilets, water supply, and houses. With no help coming, they have threatened to launch a protest until their demands for basic amenities are met.

Over 70 families, including children and the aged, live in the settlement. Though a temporary water connection has been provided by Maldare gram panchayat, the residents of the settlement have to walk a distance to fetch water.

This is because there is no electricity to enable piped water supply.

The residents, who have been living on the forest fringe for over seven decades, were granted 'hakku patras' (rights) recently for the land they have been cultivating under the Forest Rights Act.