For the 60-70 odd families of Gondar village in Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary in Uttarakhand, life is virtually an everyday struggle. Bereft of basic needs like electricity, drinking water and roads, Gondar is still miles away from development.
"We have promised electricity, water and well- constructed roads this year to the people and Rs 1 crore has already been sanctioned," said Shailarani Rawat, the local ruling Congress MLA from Kedarnath.
The inhabitants, refusing to be satisfied by such promises, have threatened to boycott the May 7 general elections.
Also, the Tongia community, residing in the Rajaji National Park in Haridwar district, has been neglected by successive governments. Demands of Van Gujjars, a Muslim tribal community residing in the Rajaji Park and Corbett National Park, has been turned down repeatedly. "We are seeking scheduled tribe status for Van Gujjars on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir," said Avadhash Kaushal, chairperson of Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, a Dehradun-based NGO which fights for the rights of Van Gujjars in the hill state.
Ironically, the state forest department claims to have chalked out plans to rehabilitate all these Van Gujjars outside the park areas. "Most of these Gujjars have already been rehabilitated," said a top forest department official.
Surprisingly, the state election commission asserts that there are no issues related to the flood-affected people in the state. "We have inquired from the District Magistrates of all the five disaster-affected districts regarding the problems being faced by the people there. There is no issue and people are ready to vote for the May 7 election," said Radha Raturi, the state chief electoral officer.
"We have promised electricity, water and well- constructed roads this year to the people and Rs 1 crore has already been sanctioned," said Shailarani Rawat, the local ruling Congress MLA from Kedarnath.
The inhabitants, refusing to be satisfied by such promises, have threatened to boycott the May 7 general elections.
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Like Gondar, there are scores of villages falling under wildlife sanctuaries and other protected areas that are still miles away from development. The forest dwellers here have spent lifetimes fighting for their basic rights.
Also, the Tongia community, residing in the Rajaji National Park in Haridwar district, has been neglected by successive governments. Demands of Van Gujjars, a Muslim tribal community residing in the Rajaji Park and Corbett National Park, has been turned down repeatedly. "We are seeking scheduled tribe status for Van Gujjars on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir," said Avadhash Kaushal, chairperson of Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, a Dehradun-based NGO which fights for the rights of Van Gujjars in the hill state.
Ironically, the state forest department claims to have chalked out plans to rehabilitate all these Van Gujjars outside the park areas. "Most of these Gujjars have already been rehabilitated," said a top forest department official.
Surprisingly, the state election commission asserts that there are no issues related to the flood-affected people in the state. "We have inquired from the District Magistrates of all the five disaster-affected districts regarding the problems being faced by the people there. There is no issue and people are ready to vote for the May 7 election," said Radha Raturi, the state chief electoral officer.