Amravati, Rehabilitation of villages coming under the Melghat Tiger Project has become a trap for the tribals. In the year 2019, January, after entering the core area of Melghat, a bloody conflict broke out between 500 to 600 tribals of 8 rehabilitated villages. There is a fear of a similar explosive situation arising again. Because more than 50 villagers of Dolara have returned to the ruined village (Dolara) on Thursday evening demanding compensation.
This village was completely evacuated by Melghat Tiger Project 4 years ago and rehabilitated the villagers near Patrot. This discontent against Forest flared up again, may prove to be very painful for the district administration like last time.
Not ready to leave till compensation is received
According to the information, Dolar village of Chikhaldara tehsil was rehabilitated in Vagadoh near Patrot of Achalpur tehsil, but these rehabilitated villagers, after a long wait for not getting compensation for houses and farms in their native village Dolar, went to the forest after getting tired from the administration. Dera movement has started. With more than 50 tribals returning to Dolar village with full preparation, there has been a stir in the Melghat Tiger Project administration.
This villager is not ready to leave the village till the compensation is received. Now if a tiger or any wild animal attacks these villagers in the village, then who will be responsible. This question has arisen. Due to which once again the help of rural police can be taken in this matter of forest catching up.
had to lathi charge
It is noteworthy that in January 2019, 500 to 600 tribals of more than 8 rehabilitated villages, including Somthana, Kelpani, Dhargad, had camped in their ruined villages. After which there was a struggle with the administration amidst tremendous tension for 25 days. In which the police had to resort to lathicharge. The police had to take tremendous tension for the safety of many tribals who were camping in the forest in the cold of night. Now this situation seems to be happening. At that time, MLA Rajkumar Patel held a meeting with the then CM Devendra Fadnavis in the Mumbai ministry and pressurized them to give immediate compensation to the rehabilitated tribals. After that there was a change of power and the matter of compensation also fell in cold storage.
How to evaluate after 4 years
It is interesting that the Executive Engineer called Dharani’s Deputy Engineer Kunal Pinjarkar to go to the old Dolar due to the pressure of the forest and evaluate the number of houses there. According to the order, the Deputy Engineer, who reached the old Dolar village, took out the photo of the empty forest-like area and returned. He told the seniors that where the old Dolar village was, today not a single house is left intact. How to evaluate? It is noteworthy that rehabilitation has taken 4 years. Questions are being raised as to why this assessment was not done during rehabilitation.
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Tribals of 4-5 villages are also in preparation
According to sources, the villagers of Somthana, Harukheda, Dhargad and Kelpani are also preparing to enter the forest again. Tired of correspondence to the government. Compensation for house and farming has not been received yet. They say that the forest has 10 lakh rupees to do new rehabilitation and why there is no money for the government to compensate for our agriculture and house.
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Half resettlement in many villages
There are dozens of villages of Melghat, half of which have been incompletely rehabilitated. In which the main villages of villages like Mangya, Raura, Chaupan, Marud are included. Due to these half-completed rehabilitation of Dharani and Chikhaldara tehsils, neither the goal of Melghat Tiger Project is being fulfilled nor the objective of the government is being fulfilled. The matter has been hanging in the balance for years. It is very worrying to repeatedly create a situation of conflict between the tribals and the administration.
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Efforts for years to get compensation
On Monday itself, in addition to the Melghat Tiger Project, a request was made to the District Collector to narrate the grievances of the tribals deprived of compensation in rehabilitation including Dolar. It was also expressed concern that if the compensation is not received soon, then these rehabilitated villagers may return to their native village. I have been in constant correspondence with the government and administration. Now neither will I go to persuade the tribals to come out of the forest nor will I keep requesting the administration on the same subject again and again.
Rajkumar Patel, MLA
Photo 4 Rajkumar Patel