BARIPADA: Residents of Gudgudia, Barehipani and Astakuanr panchayats which fall inside the Similipal biosphere and are nearly 30 to 60 km from Jashipur, have been living in miserable condition for years. Deprived of basic facilities like drinking water, health services, education and housing, the people here are struggling to sustain their livelihood. They still have to travel long distances to fetch drinking water, avail of medical facilities and reach market to sell forest products. Fighting for their cause, Adivasi Ho Samaj Mahasabha of Mayurbhanj district has demanded overall development of the tribals here and other tribal areas in Jashipur block. The association members met Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday. Mahasabha president Manoranjan Tiria said the enforcement of stringent forest laws had badly affected their livelihood. “Tribals residing in the panchayats depend on Jashipur market. Though they come to Jashipur at least twice a week, there is no facility to go back the same day. So they make a night halt at Jashipur. We have requested the Minister to allot funds to build a rest shed at Jashipur,” he said. Besides, the tribals said forest road from Balarampur to Jashipur has been badly damaged due to which, they face difficulty in reaching hospitals, market and government offices. “There are a number of wooden bridges over the nullahs and rivers criss-crossing Similipal which are dilapidated. The wooden bridges should be replaced with pucca ones,” he demanded. Mahasabha secretary Arjun Singkhuntia blamed officials for the sorry state of affairs. He alleged that the officials are not involving local representatives while executing welfare schemes. He demanded a thorough check by a Vigilance committee of all the projects, either completed or under construction in the area.
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