Saturday, April 28, 2007

Kalahandi bears the brunt of shift farming

The New Indian Express, April 28, 2007
Saturday April 28 2007 13:09 IST
BHAWANIPATNA: Podu chas (shifting cultivation) has taken a heavy toll on forest resources of Kalahandi district. Wanton destruction of plantation for farming has laid waste to the rich flora upsetting the ecological balance of the region.

It is during this period of the year when the tribals prepare for podu prior to which, they fell trees, clean the slopes and burn wood.

In Kalahandi, of the 51,000 hectares of forest area, more than 30,000 hectares have been ravaged for shifting cultivation. And the worst-hit are predominantly tribal Thuamul-Rampur, Lanjigarh, Madanpur-Rampur, Narla and Bhawanipatna blocks.

Recently, a survey conducted by the Project Office of Watershed of Kalahandi in three blocks of Rampur, Lanjigarh and Madanpur-Rampur, revealed that more than 24,000 hectares in these blocks have been affected by shifting cultivation.

The organisation is also conducting surveys in other blocks, including Bhawanipatna, where it is apprehended that the area under podu may be around 6,000 hectares. Podu is resulting in denudation of forest areas and soil erosion, the survey revealed.

According to sources, presently, thousands of trees are being felled and wood burned in several areas under Thuamul-Rampur and Lanjigarh blocks.

Felling of trees continues unabated in Thuamul-Rampur and Lanjigarh blocks despite implementation of ITDA project and Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood programme and the functioning of several NGOs in the areas.

Earlier, the Kalahandi forest division was having one DFO but for the last two years, it has been divided into North and South forest divisions and a conservator post has also been sanctioned. But, the problem has only worsened.

DFO (southern division) Ananta Kishor Pati said to combat the situation, Jungle Surakshya Samitis have been directed to make people aware of the hazardous consequences of shifting cultivation.

Kalahandi Watershed Project Director Santosh Kumar Khatua said a district-level committee has been formed to take necessary steps.

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