Taming the fierce -- Govt brings tribals closer to farming

Taming the fierce -- Govt brings tribals closer to farming
RAJENDRA KHATRY

JASHPUR (MP), JULY 17: They are a hunting tribe on the cusp of change, but the transition is unbearably painful. Although the intervening years might have mellowed them, the Pahadi Korwas, inhabiting the hilly regions of Jashpur and Sarguja districts of Madhya Pradesh were so fierce once that they had struck terror in the hearts of the plainsmen. Such was their power and dominance that even the Britishers had failed to subjugate them completely.

Having been traditional hunters for centuries, the tribesmen are now in a dilemma, as they struggle to adapt themselves to the changing circumstances through farming. The depleting forest cover had already dealt a heavy blow to their natural living.

Now with the forest department making its intentions quite clear of chasing tribals out of protected forest area around Badalkhol sanctuary in Jashpur according to Centre's directive to protect forest and wildlife, the Pahadi Korwas are waging a losing battle for survival. Faced with the grim prospect, they look like a tribe that has lost its moorings. But the fierce determination is still clearly visible. ``We will die, but will not move out of this place, '' declares Runiya Ram, a Pahadi Korwa from Rangpur village inside the sanctuary. ``Anybody who dares to drive us out of the jungles will have to face the consequences,'' says Mohan Ram, from the neighbouring Pahadi Korwa village-Sutari.

Not used to farming and having hardly ever owned any land of their own, the tribe is forced to lead a life of abject poverty. Yet the inducement of Rs 1 lakh offered to families of the Pahadi Korwas by the forest department to leave the area has been spurned by them without a second thought. What;s worse, the forest department's move has only helped in alienating the tribals. Wary of the reprisal in the past the forest department has desisted from using any kind of force in its approach while dealing with the tribals.

Aware of their plight, the Madhya Pradesh government formed the Pahadi Korwa Vikas Abhikaran (PKVA) in 1978 for the development of Pahadi Korwas and Birhor tribes, says D D Singh, Additional Collector, Jashpur and incharge of the PKVA.

``The government is doing its best to help the tribals join mainstream. We have achieved a fair degree of success in the last few years,'' says Singh. The developmental measures being taken under the project are:educational, health, land reforms, agricultural, fisheries and providing jobs to the tribals, including tendu leaf collection contracts, he says.

Narendra Dube, Chief Executive Officer of the Janpad Panchayat, Bagicha block says the focus of the PKVA is on providing educational facilities to the tribals. Mostly illiterates, percentage of literacy is around a mere 7 per cent among the Pahadi Korwas and the Birhors. A large number of ashram shalas (residential schools) have been opened all over the Jashpur region. Education is provided free along with bording and lodging and food. Special scholarships are offered to meritorious students, informs Dube.

According to District Collector Jashpur-Durgesh Mishra, special measures are being undertaken by the administration to help farming skills of the Korwas. Irrigation facilities and good seeds are being provided to the tribals. They have also sbeen given new nets to catch fish. Mishra promises to speed up the land reforms in the region. These measures have helped the Korwas a great deal, he says.

The Union Government provided a fund of Rs 25 lakh last year to the Pahadi Korwa Vikas Abhikaran for its developmental activities. A similar sum is expected this year as well; Health scheme of the tribals is a priority. Originally the tribals had been dependent on the vaidyas (Baigas), but now primary health centres are taking care of their health problems, says the Collector.