Vanishing tribes of Niyamgiri caught in pangs of survival

In the third and concluding part of the land acquisition series, Business Standard visits Lanjigarh and sees that the Dongaria Kondh tribes of Niyamgiri have nothing much to rejoice for, after having

Buddu Jakashika walks 10 km every day doing sundry jobs and makes Rs 100-150. He hails from Shibapadar gram panchayat in southwest Odisha’s Rayagada district. All five villages controlled by this panchayat had unanimously voted against a plan by London-headquartered mining conglomerate Vedanta in July-August 2013. 

The mine was supposed to feed Vedanta’s starving alumina refinery at Niyamgiri foothills. But, local tribals, primarily the Dongaria Kondhs, (listed among ‘particularly vulnerable tribal groups’) viewed it as an incursion into their natural habitat and red-flagged the plan in the referendum. And, Buddu’s drudgery continued. 

The village council meets were held in 12 villages across Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, according to a Supreme Court directive. The apex court had, in April 2013, held that the cultural and worship rights of the local Dongaria Kondhs must be preserved and their consent be sought before digging up the hills. 

Before the village council voting, the Centre appointed an expert committee, headed by N C Saxena, which found convincing evidence that mining over Niyamgiri would destroy the livelihoods and culture of the dependent tribals. 

Even today, Buddu believes mining would not have changed the lives of his tribesmen. “Who’ll gain from mining? Our people are not educated or skilled to get employed in mine-related work,” he rues.

For centuries, the Dongarias have remained cut-off from the mainstream, thriving on subsistence farming and sale of agro forestry produce. 

Timi Shikaka of Phuldumer village (in Kalahandi district) says there is no government scheme to facilitate marketing of horticultural products. Twice a week, she treks about 10 km down the hill to sell her produce at the local market. Her village, too, had trumped the mining plan. 

On paper, there are many government schemes designed for the tribes of the Dongaria clan. There is the Dongaria Kondh Development Agency since 1964 but the stakeholders, however, feel the targeted interventions can benefit the tribals without uprooting them from their natural habits. Some even debate the government’s failed growth model and stress on the need for a new development paradigm. 

The Dongaria Kondhs’ cause has been championed by politicians such as Rahul Gandhi and international human rights organisation Survival International, which had hailed their victory over mining. Beyond this victory, the Dongarias have little to cheer about as they continue to suffer from poverty. 

“The government is not thinking of serious development for the Niyamgiri tribals. Its only focus is on building wide roads, which the Dongaria Kondhs oppose. In tribal villages, there are schools with no teacher attendance or mid-day meals. The government should plan intervention in areas like health, education and electricity in a manner acceptable to the local tribals. That can be achieved through field visits and consultation with the tribals,” said Bhala Chandra Sarangi, advisor, Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti (Save Niyamgiri Foundation). 
 

Prafulla Samantray, president at Lok Shakti Abhiyan, concurs. “The Dongaria Kondhs need customised schemes in health and education set up in their natural ecosystem. 

The state government or the Government of India lack specific schemes for indigenous tribes unlike Canada and Australia.” 

The government has learnt some lessons after the Niyamgiri fiasco. From the middle of last year, the Rayagada district administration has been making efforts to reach out to the isolated tribals. To connect with the tribals, health camps are being organised at frequent intervals. But, a brewing trust deficit has hit the delivery of government benefits. 

A section of the Dongaria Kondh community still views district officials as agents of Vedanta, alleges a tribal leader. 

The state government has made a renewed pitch to start mining over Niyamgiri lease held by the Odisha Mining Corporation. The mining entity has started some corporate social responsibility interventions in the affected areas, but realises it is not easy to woo the Dongaria tribals. 

Livelihood issues apart, the Dongaria Kondhs are facing an ambience of unease in their backyard. The movement of police and other armed security forces under the garb of anti-Naxal combing operations has also scared them.

“The security forces are harassing innocent tribals through needless interrogation and torture. The forces are carrying out operations in Kalyansinghpur, Muniguda and Bisam Cuttack blocks (in Rayagada district) where the Dongaria tribes are concentrated,” said Sarangi. 

A Dongaria tribe leader, wishing to be unnamed, says: “The presence of anti-Naxal forces has scared the tribals. Many a time, they feel hesitant to go to the deep forests for raising and collecting agri-products. The killing of a Dongaria tribal about three months ago has made things worse.’’

Pro-mining bodies feel the Dongaria tribals need to embrace the mainstream to avail government programmes.

“The Dongarias are not prepared to join the mainstream. They are still under the heavy influence of non-governmental organisations active in that area. To move up the socio-economic ladder, they have to cooperate with the government for implementation of schemes in infrastructure, health and education. Their counterparts, who have put up in Vedanta’s Niyamgiri rehabilitation colony, are leading a decent lifestyle,” says Sridhar Pesnia of Lanjigarh Area Vikash Parishad. 

The Dongaria Kondh is a tiny community with a count of 7,952, living in villages under five gram panchayats. Not all Dongarias are steeped in backwardness, explains Jitu Jakashika, a tribal rights and social activist. 

“There is notable delivery of government schemes in Kurli panchayat and Dongarias are reaping the benefits. Some of the Dongaria children are also studying in public schools in Bhubaneswar. Development has failed where there is a lack of communication, particularly roads,” he said.

Series concludes